The final whistle sounded as darkness shrouded Dick Schwendinger Field Tuesday evening, ending a well-played Coast-South contest between visiting Hartnell and West Valley. The Panthers escaped with a 2-1 victory, but the Vikings battled the state's 10th-ranked team on even terms for 90 minutes. 

West Valley (7-7-2, 3-2-1 Coast-South) grabbed a 1-0 lead when Kayla Potter converted a penalty kick in the 35th minute. The Viking lead held until the 49th minute when Ysenia Tijerina booted in the equalizer for the Panthers (12-2-2, 4-0-1). Hartnell's Stephanie Castillo scored the game-winner at 60', knocking in a Belinda Ascenio helper in a scrum in front of a crowded WVC goal.

Potter's goal was her team-leading 13th on the season and she narrowly missed on two shots near the end of the game, which had a 45-minute injury stoppage at the 50-minute mark. Veronica Cook logged four saves in goal.

The Vikings host Highway 17 rival Cabrillo (6-2-4, 3-0-2) Tuesday, Oct. 26 in a crucial Coast contest. Kickoff is 4:00pm at Dick Schwendinger Field.