USL W LEAGUE: Stockton Cargo put together miraculous late-game comeback to stymie Santa Clara Blue Heat in Western Conference thriller
- Dan Stickradt
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
STOCKTON, Calif. — Fans of the Stockton Cargo are starting to rename their side the Cardiac Kids instead.
And for good reason.
Known for numerous second-half comebacks, the Stockton Cargo SC advanced to the next round of the USL W League Playoffs Western Conference with a 2-1 win over the Santa Clara Blue Heat on Saturday night at Stockton (Calif.) St. Mary’s High School Stagg Memorial Stadium.
Both of the Stockton Cargo’s goals came after the 87th minute and after the hosts trailed 1-0 at the time and just minutes away from being eliminated.
That didn’t happen.
The NorCal Division champion Cargo found new life in the waning minutes to prevail in this matchup between the two California sides.
In the 88th minute, Marlee Cavitt drove down the right sideline and chipped a long cross into the box that found the end of Vanessa Penuna’s right foot – and Penuna redirected the ball into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
The Cargo had more luggage to pack.
In the 90th minute, Same Tristan broke free into tight space inside the box and with a defender closing in ripped home a shot into the back of the net for the game winner.
Amanda Leal and her defense withstood some late pressure to complete the miraculous come-from-behind victory and advance in the USL W League national tournament.
The Blue Heat scored first in the 69th minute on a questionable call. After Leal, the Cargo goalkeeper, was trying to control the ball in the box and clear the ball, she collided with a Blue Heat forward and Santa Clara was awarded a penalty kick. Kendall Campbell stepped up to the spot and rifled home her shot for the 1-0 lead.
The NorCal Division champion Cargo will face Mountain Division champion Utah United at 7 p.m. PT Sunday in the Western Conference finals with a spot in the Final Four on the line.
The Stockton Cargo improved to 11-0-2 and now have outscored its opposition 41-12 this season.
The SoCal Division champion Santa Clara Blue Heat finish the 2025 season with an 8-2-1 record and a 25-12 scoring edge over 11 games. The Blue Heat were one of four expansion franchises to qualify for the 16-team USL W League postseason.
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