The Buchanan High girls soccer team has made a habit of beating Stockdale en route to the Central Section title.

But Friday's showdown might have been the most closely fought of them all.

Dani Ayerza handled a rebound off a free kick and booted in the winning goal in the closing minutes of overtime, and second-seeded Buchanan escaped with a 3-2 victory against No. 1 Stockdale in the Division I championship match in Bakersfield.

Buchanan has won six of the past seven D-I crowns, five at Stockdale's expense in the championship.

The Bears are guaranteed a spot in the CIF Southern California Regional Division I championships, which begin March 5, as the only Central Section titlist in the D-I enrollment bracket of more than 2,300 students. Only section champions can be selected for the SoCal Regionals and the other five -- Clovis North, Highland, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, Strathmore and Orange Cove -- all have enrollments less than 2,300.

Ayerza was in position to score late after playing the ricochet of Elise Krieghoff's free kick, which was set up after Stockdale was called for an obstruction.

Buchanan, which never trailed, also received goals from Miranda Rudolph and Haylee Lopes.

Brooke Dickens scored twice for Stockdale, including the tying goal with 12 minutes left in regulation.

DIVISION III

Second-seeded Highland poured it on for a 5-1 victory over No. 5 Porterville.

The Scots will now join Clovis North as the section's two contenders for a SoCal Regional D-II berth.

DIVISION IV

Liberty-Madera Ranchos captured its third section title since 2007, making Juliet Olsen's first-half goal stand up in a 1-0 victory over No. 2 and two-time defending division champion Central Valley Christian.

The Hawks finish 25-3-1, while the Cavaliers fell to 25-2, both losses coming to Liberty.

Liberty joins D-V champion Strathmore and Orange Cove as contenders for the section's automatic berth into the regional D-III championships.

DIVISION VI

Mari Cruz Chapa scored in the third minute of overtime as Orange Cove secured its first girls soccer section championship, beating Sierra Pacific 1-0.

Joanna Valtierra had the assist as the Titans improved to 23-4-1. The Golden Bears fell to 14-7.

Boys DIVISION IV

Top-seeded Lindsay downed No. 6 Delano 2-1 for the title.

The Cardinals (21-1-3) will be one of three section teams in the mix for a berth in the regionals, joining the winner of the D-V final between Fowler and Woodlake, and D-VI champ McFarland as teams eligible for the bid.