Marin Catholic High girls soccer coach Kellis Johnson, a former goalie herself, knew the Wildcats’ defense would show up for their North Coast Section Division IV quarterfinal against Lick-Wilmerding of San Francisco on Saturday.

Just in case the Wildcats’ attack had a hard time finding the back of the net, MC’s third-year coach unveiled a trick play off a corner kick that proved to be the difference in their 2-1 victory and a trip to the NCS semifinals.

In the 59th minute of a 1-1 tie, Marin Catholic freshman Siena White sent a corner kick from the right to the top of the box. Sloane Carey served as the dummy and danced over the ball a split second before Alina Franchetti curved in the winning goal to the left of the Lick-Wilmerding keeper.

“We started learning it a few weeks ago and it’s called the worm,” said Franchetti. “Yesterday I was practicing it all day — we probably spent 45 minutes on it. It was really great I was able to pull it off today.”

No. 4 seeded Marin Catholic (11-6-5) advances to the NCS semifinals for the second consecutive year when it faces top-seeded University at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Beach Chalet #2 in San Francisco. Marin Catholic beat University 1-0 in a non-league match in San Francisco on Dec. 6.

Marin Catholic also faced Lick-Wilmerding (6-6-6) before Saturday’s NCS game, playing to a 1-1 tie on Dec. 8.

The Wildcats had gone five consecutive games without giving up a goal until Jasmine Leshnick scored from 40 yards out on a free kick in the 19th minute. The score ended the Wildcats’ string of more than 419 minutes of shutout soccer.

To understand the emphasis the Wildcats place on defense, it can’t be overlooked that Johnson was a stellar goalie at MC before graduating in 2006. The Wildcats’ defense is anchored by juniors Nellie Sell, Caroline McCarty and Brianna Frade, and freshman Savannah Browne. Sophomore goalie Finley Seymore had three saves in the win.

“Our center backs have been impenetrable this year,” said Johnson. “All of them have been amazing in tracking and keeping the ball in front of them. Our back line has done a really great job of stopping the opportunities. They have been a brick wall.”

The Wildcats trailed 1-0 for nearly 20 minutes in the first half before White was pulled down in the box and awarded a penalty kick. The freshman drilled her shot into the left corner to make it 1-1 less than two minutes before halftime.

Once the Wildcats took the lead in the second half, their ball control was superior to thwart any comeback and keep their NCS title hopes alive.

“We’re looking forward to the rematch with University,” said Johnson. “They were one of our first games of the season. It will be great to come full circle and see how it goes. We’ve definitely improved in our ability to score.”

Especially when it comes to trick plays!