El Rancho girls soccer coach Stephanie Galvan heard from a friend who lives in La Verne that there was light snow falling in the area Thursday.

It might not be snowing when El Rancho (18-5) takes on Upland’s Western Christian (15-7-6) in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 championship game Saturday at 5 p.m. at Bonita High School, but it seems likely to be bone-chilling cold.

A storm is expected to bring heavy rain and wind Friday and Saturday, and the temperature in La Verne is expected to be in the low 40s at the start of Saturday’s game.

“It’s a big concern, obviously,” Galvan said. “We haven’t really played in the rain this year. The pace of the ball and who can settle it the best is a factor for both teams. We like to move the ball around, so hopefully it doesn’t turn into a long ball game, or something real sloppy.

“But we have faith we will be ready for whatever comes and we’ll adjust. I know our girls aren’t worried about it, they’re too excited to be in this game, so they’re going to storm through it.”

It’s been an enjoyable week for El Rancho, which beat top-seed Cerritos 3-2 in the semifinals to reach the championship game for the first time in school history. Prior to this season, El Rancho had never been past the second round.

“We’re appreciating this dream,” Galvan said. “The preparation this week has been phenomenal. Our girls are passionate and motivated to get this done and they have a great support system at the school and in our community that is behind them. They’ve worked so hard and deserve this moment.”

Senior forward Yammile Picon has been the catalyst with a team-best 20 goals to go with 12 assists, but she’s much more than a great scorer.

“She’s a phenomenal player,” Galvan said of Picon. “But she’s most important to our team as a facilitator, because she’s everywhere on the field. When we need to drop her back to midfield or even defense at times, she controls it all and is the one who finds pockets for through balls that get us going.”

Senior Crystal Moreno has 10 goals and six assists and scored the game-winning penalty kick in the win over Cerritos.

There are also unsung players, like senior midfielder Amy Flores, that Galvan cites as a major reason for the Dons’ success.

Sophomore twins Elyse and Emma Hernandez have played big parts, too, with each having scored 10 goals.

“Crystal is huge and so is Amy, she’s an attacking midfielder who also holds her ground defensively, “ Galvan said. “I don’t know where we would be without her.”

The Dons faced Western Christian two years ago in a wild-card playoff game and lost 2-1.

Western Christian has not allowed a goal in these playoffs, outscoring its opponents 11-0 and routing Serrano 4-0 in the semifinals.

The Lancers have played a superior schedule, having tied Upland and Bonita in nonleague games, and they defeated Ontario Christian (4-0 in January), a team that reached the Division 5 semifinals.

“We were young when we faced them, but it was back and forth and I thought we just didn’t finish our chances,” Galvan said of the meeting two seasons ago with Western Christian. “They’re having a good playoffs, but so are we. We’ll be ready for it.”