READY OR NOT, HERE IT COMES! -- Jaguar Federico Sauto uncorks a free kick. It missed. Taylor Reed, Christian Learning
Christian Learning wins shootout
Eagles, Jaguars deadlock at 1-1
By David Kraus
Christian Learning wins shootout
Eagles, Jaguars deadlock at 1-1
By David Kraus
Special to the SCISL News
The varsity boys Eagles battled their way to another stalemate yesterday against a Jaguars line-up beleaguered by injury and academic probation. Despite several golden opportunities against the fourth-string eighth grade goal-keeper, the Eagles were not able to break the 1-1 tie that ended the first half.
It wasn’t for lack of effort, however. The crowd came alive late in the second half after a header scored on the goal line by the Eagles’ juggernaut foward, Esteban Eguez on a corner kick was ruled a handball by the stolid referee. To the chagrin of Eagles’ fans, Eguez received a yellow card instead. Minutes later, the Eagles’ Josh Mojica also got to see the yellow card after contesting a relatively mild foul.
With crisp passing from their strong mid-field line, the Jaguars also lead several promising attacks on goal. However, the Cooperative offense was held off by a combination of the Eagles’ ubiquitous sweeper, Ricardo Telchi, and the last-ditch athleticism of their senior goalkeeper, Alejandro Garcia.
It wasn’t for lack of effort, however. The crowd came alive late in the second half after a header scored on the goal line by the Eagles’ juggernaut foward, Esteban Eguez on a corner kick was ruled a handball by the stolid referee. To the chagrin of Eagles’ fans, Eguez received a yellow card instead. Minutes later, the Eagles’ Josh Mojica also got to see the yellow card after contesting a relatively mild foul.
With crisp passing from their strong mid-field line, the Jaguars also lead several promising attacks on goal. However, the Cooperative offense was held off by a combination of the Eagles’ ubiquitous sweeper, Ricardo Telchi, and the last-ditch athleticism of their senior goalkeeper, Alejandro Garcia.
Owing to an astounding series of three consecutive blocks by Garcia, the Eagles managed to gain a point in the league rankings in the shoot-out, prevailing 3-1.
As a result of the tie, Cooperative and Christian Learning are now doomed to play one another in the first round of the playoffs, and the game will be at Cooperative no matter what since Christian Learning's pitch is still unplayable.
But the question of who gets bragging rights to second place is still up for grabs and will depend on the outcome of Monday's game between Christian Learning and International. The Eagles can edge out the Jaguars by winning that game. If they tie and win the shoot-out they will also get second place. If they simply tie then, well, Christian Learning and Cooperative tie for second place. If the Eagles lose, they get third place. (Are you still following this?)
International cannot rise out of last place, and will face Cambridge in the first round of the playoffs no matter what happens Monday. And the game will be at International because Cambridge lacks a regulation field.
MOMENT IN TIME - Knight Nicolas Gamboa's penalty shot has just hit the net. Griffin goalie Joan Voss is diving across the goal. Helen Yong, CambridgeThe International boys varsity soccer team got off to a 1-0 lead against Cambridge, but then the Knights roared back with four consecutive scores before the Griffins could score again Saturday morning on the International field.
Juan Javier Estenssoro scored both goals for the Griffins. Junior Sanchez had three for the Knights, with the fourth coming on a penalty kick by Nicolas Gamboa.
Goalie Juan Manuel Salas and David Li Tan of the Knights received yellow cars, as did Jan Ivo Sostich and Alejandro Rios of the Griffins.
The win confirms Cambridge's hold on first place in the League and International's loss guarantees the defending champions last place, regardless of the outcome of the last remaining game: International vs. Christian Learning Monday.
Christian Learning can still gain bragging rights to second place by winning or tying that game. However the playoff pairings are now set: Cambridge vs. International in one bracket, and Cooperative vs. Christian Learning in the other.
