Marlene Zamora scored the decisive goal off a defender in the 29th minute, and Aptos High’s girls soccer team beat host Soquel 3-0 to secure its third straight Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League title on Thursday, coach Gina Castaneda’s 50th birthday.

Isabella Hartnett scored a pair of goals three minutes apart, in the 55th and 58th minutes, to increase her team leading total to 17.

Emma Ingram and Anahi Macias were credited with assists.

Aptos (13-2-1, 7-0-1) has outscored its opponents 63-11 on the season and has six players with four or more goals.

“Today was an incredible way to celebrate my birthday,” Castaneda said. “Our team is truly exceptional. Our midfielders are able to control the game and we have elite attackers who know how to find the back of the net. Our technical ability allows us to break through tight spaces and create scoring opportunities.”

Goalkeeper Evelyn Pini made five saves, and the Mariners, ranked No. 12 overall in the Central Coast Section by maxpreps.com, recorded their ninth shutout of the season.

“Our defense is solid, disciplined, and works seamlessly as a unit, not only shutting down opponents, but also pushing forward to support the midfield,” Castaneda said. “The team is a force, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., Aptos hosts Santa Cruz (5-7-3, 3-3-2), while Soquel (10-4-2, 5-2-1) hosts Harbor (1-12-1, 1-6-1).

Scotts Valley 2, Santa Cruz 0 >> The Falcons posted a shutout in SCCAL play Thursday to give them consecutive wins for the first time since mid-December.

Ella Ireland scored the decisive goal in the second minute, when she finished off a pass from Taylor Ericson.

In the 65th minute, Ericson intercepted a Santa Cruz pass, shot and scored.

Junior goalie Jazzy Phillips made 10 saves for the Falcons (7-5-4, 4-3-1), who play at SLV (2-10-0, 1-6-0) on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

The Cardinals (5-7-3, 3-3-2) play at league champion Aptos on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

At Harbor 1, SLV 0 >> Freshman Kenzie Simon scored off a corner kick in the 75th minute, and the Pirates broke through for their first win of the season in their third-to-last SCCAL game Thursday.

Senior Becca Vaca had the assist.

Sophomore goalie Athena Forbus made three saves for the shutout.

On Tuesday, SLV (2-10-0, 1-6-0) hosts Scotts Valley at 3:30 p.m., and Harbor (1-12-1, 1-6-1) plays at Soquel at 7 p.m.

At St. Francis 3, Anzar 0 >> Junior Peyton Orradre and freshman Alyssandra Peterson each had a goal and an assist in the unbeaten Sharks’ Pacific Coast Athletic League Santa Lucia Division win.

Junior Miriam Abonce also scored for the Sharks (9-1-1, 6-0-0). Freshman Aubrey Nualart had two assists.

Junior goalie Madison Silva made five saves and St. Francis recorded its fifth shutout.

The teams square off again at Anzar (3-5-0, 3-2-0) on Monday at 3:30 p.m.

Girls basketball

At Santa Cruz 51, Aptos 24 >> Sophomore Ania Sinnott scored a game-high 11 points and pulled down five rebounds, and the Cardinals pulled away to lock up second place in the SCCAL on Thursday.

Santa Cruz outscored its opponent 30-12 in the second half.

The Cardinals finished with 52 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 steals.

“Our goal tonight was to get the bye in the first round of the SCCAL Tournament,” Cardinals coach Todd Trowbridge said. “Our ‘D’ was locked in and when that happens it allows us to run.”

Mila Conn had nine points and four steals for the Cardinals (12-10, 7-2). Karolina Espinosa had seven points and 14 rebounds, and Kelaiah Wynn had six points and 12 rebounds.

Senior Berkeley Ashby made two 3s and scored 11 points for the Mariners.

On Saturday at 2:30 p.m., Santa Cruz plays at SLV, and Aptos plays at Harbor.

At Scotts Valley 51, SLV 11 >> Senior center Claire Skinner scored a game-high 13 points Thursday, and the SCCAL champion Falcons moved a step closer to a perfect league season.

Junior guard Samantha Rebbert scored 11 points for the Falcons (19-2, 9-0), who led 13-0 after the first quarter and 30-7 at the half. Senior guard Abigail Shi and junior guard Brooklyn Williams each scored nine points.

Poppy Owens led the Cougars with four points.

On Saturday at 2:30 p.m., Scotts Valley plays at Soquel, and SLV hosts Santa Cruz.

Boys soccer

At Palma 1, Pajaro Valley 0 >> The Grizzlies gave up the decisive goal in the first half of their PCAL Mission Division loss Thursday.

Pajaro Valley (3-9-7, 2-4-5) hosts crosstown rival Watsonville in its regular-season finale on Wednesday at 3 p.m.