Sisters propel McLane to Central Section Division V before huge crowd in Selma
.jpeg "McLane High wins the Central Section Division V championship after a 1-0 victory over Selma on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.")
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- Khloe’s 62nd‑minute corner found sister Ashlee for the winner.
- Ashlee Salinas’ 62nd‑minute goal was her 123rd, making her McLane’s all‑time leader.
- McLane defended relentlessly after the goal to secure the Division V title.
It was a family affair that secured the McLane High girls soccer team a 1-0 victory in the Central Section Division V championship.
Despite more than 2,000 fans packing the stands, the atmosphere felt more like a college final than a high school championship.
Selma’s side of the bleachers was a sea of orange and black, with what felt like the entire town in attendance.
But McLane brought its own energy — a fan bus, school administrators, the principal, athletic director, and vice principals were all there to witness history.
And in the biggest moment of the season, it was “Sister, Sister” who got the job done.
How McLane broke through
Sophomore Khloe Salinas helped set the tone when she took a corner kick and found her sister, Ashlee Salinas, who seized her moment. The ball slipped into space and scored in the 62nd minute.
It was her 123rd career goal, cementing her status as the Highlanders’ all-time leading scorer.
Four years, more than 120 goals, and now a second section title in that span. She was also part of the 2023 Division VI championship squad, making this two titles in four years for the senior leader.
For head coach David Alvarez, the victory was about more than a trophy.
“That feels fantastic,” Alvarez said, beaming. “I’m proud — so proud — of the girls and the community.”
McLane didn’t dominate the scoreboard, but they dominated the moment. After Ashley’s goal, the Highlanders had to defend relentlessly for nearly 20 minutes.
Every clearance mattered. Every tackle mattered. Every second ticked louder.
Alvarez said the team started peaking when the North Yosemite League play began.
“I told them, let’s win league first like we said we would, then we’ll move on to section. And we did exactly that,” he said. “That’s why I love coaching high school sports. You get on a run, and it just keeps going.”
