It's not smoke and mirrors as to why San Pedro High girls soccer is currently riding a 16-game winning streak into today's CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I first round playoff game against visiting Marshall of Los Angeles.

It's been the combination of senior leadership, opportunistic goals in the most crucial of moments, and hard-nosed defensive play that has made the Pirates a dangerous team, even for a fifth-seeded team of the playoffs. Seniors Paige Kielbasa, Lauren Antonelos and Heather Carlton embodies all of those traits.

"This year I feel like we have a really strong team," Kielbasa says. "I am very confident that we will go farther in playoffs than we have any other year."

Hopefully in the case of the three four-year seniors, this could finally be their year.

San Pedro (18-2-2 overall), has been struck in the first three years of this trio core with a pair of first-round playoff losses in 2013 and 2014, and a 2-0 quarterfinal loss last season to Taft of Woodland Hills, who's the top seed of Division I and ironically one of two teams to defeat the Pirates. However San Pedro, who hasn't lost since December 16 to a powerful West Torrance team, is primed for a longer playoff run in their quest for its first City title.

Carlton, who is one of the two captains along with Kielbasa, has battled back from a serious leg injury which sidelined her nearly all of her sophomore season, and has been on the All-Marine League for two straight years ever since. The super-quick midfielder got a great start to her senior season with a game-tying goal against Chadwick of Rolling Hills Estates in the final five minutes of a 3-3 draw.

"I believe that my injury gave me the motivation to try harder and to be the best," said Carlton, who has five goals and 8 assists for San Pedro this season. "During that time (of recovery), it was really hard to watch my team play without me while I had to sit out. I still think of my injury and how far I've come from it and I'll continue to fight until the end."

Kielbasa and Antonelos are the two rocks of what is a pretty strong defensive unit for San Pedro co-coaches Crystal Valdes and Chatelaine "Shadow" Ansaldi. In fact, both played pivotal roles during San Pedro's utter destruction of the Marine League, outscoring their foes 55-1 en route to an 11th straight league championship (15th in 16 years) with a perfect 10-0 record. First time San Pedro ran the table without a loss or tie in league since 2011.

"I think the toughest thing that I have to face each game is knowing that I'm the last line of defense," said Antonelos, who has scored twice this season. "As much as that is scary and tough, it is also the most rewarding part because every time that I do make that save, I feel like I could have just then, saved the game."

A hard-nosed, no nonsense defender herself, Kielbasa takes pride in shutting down opposing team's best scorer along with claiming four straight league titles with a record of 36-1-3 in league play those four years.

"It's one of the best feelings in the world that I get to leave San Pedro High School being a four-time Marine League champion," said Kielbasa, who has 4 goals and 3 assists for the Pirates. "I'm very proud of my team."

All of San Pedro should be proud of the hard work, undying commitment and overall chemistry of these three amazing student athletes regardless of how the season ends up... which the Pirates hope to be one of the two left standing on Saturday, March 5 at Los Angeles Valley College.