Griffins, Jaguars Dominate in JV Volleyball Semis

Knights Nearly Upset Jaguars, Griffins Breeze Past Eagles
By Trevor Reed, Jesse Mann, and David Boldt

     The Cooperative JV boys volleyball team advanced to the finals yesterday after narrowly defeating the Knights in three hotly-contested sets. From the outset neither team could gain a significant advantage or lead over the other, resulting in three very close, intense matches.

     Both the Knights and the Jaguars excelled in controlling the volleyball and spiking it back to their opponents with fervor, but an extremely low serving accuracy plagued both teams and prevented any considerable scoring drives. The first set saw the teams trade points until the scoreboard read 22-22, when at last three well placed serves by Jaguar Rodrigo Chavez gave Cooperative a 25-22 win.

     The Jaguars kept this momentum going and ultimately pulled ahead of the Knights in the second set 12-6. At this crucial point the Knights rallied, and spurred on by the cries of encouragement from their fans, doggedly combated the Jaguars in several long volleys that finally tied the score 19-19. Both teams competed fiercely for the remaining six point needed for victory, and after some impressive spikes and serves on both sides the score once again stood tied at 22-22. Here the Knights finally took command, and after an excruciatingly long volley that put them ahead 23-22, they decisively finished the match with a final score of 25-23.

     The third set closely resembled the first as both teams traded points and defiantly refused the other side any advantage. With the score tied 9-9, Jaguar Raul Valle swiftly spiked the ball directly off a Cambridge return to put the Jaguars in the lead. The Knights responded in kind about a minute later when Daniel Kirigin ruthlessly smacked the ball over the net and succeeded in once again tying the score. This competitive battle for points continued, until the Jaguars managed to pull away from the Knights and establish a firm 14-11 lead. Desperate not to let their foe slip away from them, the Knights returned a Jaguar serve, leaving the outcome of the match in question until the end. Down 14-12, the Knights needed a flawless three point scoring drive to stay in the match. Unfortunately Cambridge was robbed of any opportunity for a comeback when the last serve failed to clear the net. The Jaguars celebrated their survival against the Knights with wild enthusiasm, but will have to step up their game considerably if they want to defeat the Griffins for a trophy.

     The playoff game between the International JV boys volleyball team and the Christian Learning Center was not nearly as close. From the beginning, it was apparent that the Eagles were at a serious size disadvantage. Also, the fact that they only had one substitute player while the Griffin bench was bustling with eager players, made the Eagles' plight even more desperate. 

     Right off the bat both teams were able to score a few points, and the score rose to 2-2. Then, the Griffins took control with excellent serving from many of their players to gain a 7-3 lead. The Griffins continued with great spiking and widened their lead to six points. The Eagles did make a good effort to return the Griffin spikes, but many of the well placed shots were un-returnable. As a result, almost all of the Eagle points came from failed Griffin serves or missed spikes. A few good volleys between the two teams showed that the Eagles could compete with the Griffins, but it was not enough. The Griffins widened their lead even more, eventually winning the set 25-6.

     The second set started off with the Griffins full of enthusiasm, and they soon had a 12-3 lead. They continued to dominate, scoring 12 more points while only allowing the Eagles to score one. The score was at 24-4, and the Griffins were ready to finish the Eagles off. However, the Eagles didn't give up, and they managed to go on a 5-0 scoring streak before the Griffins finally finished them off with a score of 25-9.

Griffin and Jaguar Girls Fight Their Way to the Championship Match

     Cooperative won its way to the finals in a tough two-set match in which Christian Learning never gave up, and frequently threatened to take over the lead. The two teams battled on even terms through the first half of the first set, with Cooperative leading 11-9 at the approximate halfway point, and clinging to that narrow two-point margin through 15-13.

     The complexion of the set changed, however, when Fabiana Andrade went to the service line and began firing bullets over the net.  Cooperative took the next seven points and held a 22-13 lead.  Christian Learning tried to rally but the set was now out of reach and the Jaguars prevailed 25-17, with the last point coming anti-climactically on a service error.

     The Jaguars jumped off to a 5-0 lead in the second set, again benefitting from Andrade’s strong serving, but the Lady Eagles gradually clawed their way back and knotted the score at 10-10. The teams more or less matched points until 21-21, when the Jaguars moved ahead 23-21 thanks in large part to three good serves by Flavia Gutierrez.

     The Eagles finally broke her serve, but the reprieve was brief, and the Jaguars took the set 25-22, with the final point coming on a strong serve by Natalia Medina that the Eagles couldn’t handle.

The game was distinguished by several long rallies, and was played at a higher competitive level than the earlier meetings between the two teams that had also been close, but in which the points were usually decided by shorter rallies.

     International had much less trouble disposing of Cambridge in their playoff match. The Griffins took the lead 8-3in the early stage of the first set, and they did it even though Cambridge was playing well. Just not quite well enough. Cambridge then seemed to hold its own for a while, benefitting, among other things, from four consecutive bad serves by International.

     However, International was able to hang onto a four- to six-point lead until the score reached 19-15. At that point Ciara Harriague took over the serving for International, helping her team mightily as the Griffins ran off six straight points to take the set 25-15, with several of the points coming on service aces.

     In the second set Cambridge was able to play the Griffins on an even basis through a tie at 12-12, at which point International surged ahead, with the crucial series of serves coming from Pamela Suarez this time. Cambridge only managed two more points in the remainder of the game, which International won 25-14.

     This game too was marked by long rallies and fine play on both sides. Cambridge probably played well enough to have won many games, but couldn’t match International’s consistency and powerful play when the contest went into its crucial closing phases.

JV Volleyball Playoffs - Scoreboard for October 21

JV Boys Volleyball

Cooperative d. Cambridge 2-1 (25-22, 23-25, 15-12)

International d. Christian Learning 2-0 (25-6, 25-9)

JV Girls Volleyball

Cooperative d. Christian Learning 2-0 (25-17, 25-22)

International d. Cambridge 2-0 (25-15, 25-14)

Varsity Soccer Semifinals

Two Knights try to erect a blockade against onrushing Jaguar Antonio
Salvatierra (10) -- Ximena Fagan

Griffins, Jaguars dominate soccer semis

By David Boldt and Jesse Mann

     International and Cooperative continued to dominate the varsity semifinals Thursday, and their teams will face each other in the soccer championships in two weeks, just as they will in volleyball.

     In the boys semifinals, International defeated Christian Learning 2-0 and Cooperative defeated Cambridge 5-1.

     In the girls competition, International defeated Christian Learning 2-1 and Cooperative defeated Cambridge by a whopping 13-0.

     In both boys and girls’ divisions the winning teams were playing on their home fields, having won that right through their records in the regular season.


Griffin, Eagle girls start slow, but get hot

     The girl's semifinal game between International and Christian Learning began rather sluggishly as players on both teams were clearly feeling the oppressive humidity and harsh, hot rays of sunlight. For the majority of the first half the soccer ball was calmly shuttled from one end of the field to another, with no significant attempts on goal.

       This peaceful game play ended abruptly when Griffin forward Carolina Baldvieso scooped up a shot that bounced off the Eagle goalie and caromed of the crossbar and into the net. A few minutes later the Griffins doubled their lead when Natalia Davila launched the ball past the Eagle goalie once again.

      The Eagles, however, refused to quit without a fight. After a few more close shots by the Griffins, the Eagles turned the tables and almost managed a comeback. Eagle Abby Phillips took full advantage of a well-placed pass and dribbled the ball skillfully down field and then kicked it into the corner of the Griffin net. to make the score 2-1.

      The Eagles then narrowly missed tying the score when another shot on the Griffin goal bounced off a defender and was just barely batted away by the agile International goalie. For the remainder of the match the Griffins clung tenaciously to their thin lead, desperately repulsing several determined Eagle attacks. At last the referee sounded his whistle, and the Griffins celebrated a 2-1 victory.

Griffin boys with physically intense match

            The Griffin gentlemen also emerged victorious after an agonizingly aggressive game against the Eagles that ended with a 2-0 score in their favor.  Both teams flew onto the pitch itching for success, resulting in an aggressive, spirited battle. The Eagles concentrated the bulk of their manpower on defense, a strategy that frustrated International offensive effort. The Griffins were limited in the first half to several long shots on goal, each skillfully snatched out of the air by Eagle goalie Wesley Ordoñez.

   The only significant threat to the Griffins in the first half was embodied in the person of Eagle forward Andre Larson, who got close to the International net on several occasions by bulldozing his way through the Griffin defense. 

     The score was 0-0 at the half and as the scoreless stand off dragged on, the game escalated into a rough frenzy that produced a fair number of battered, limping bodies by the end of the second half.  In one of the more bizarre episodes Eagle forward Trevor Reed was kicked in the nose by a Griffin defender while he (Reed) was attempting to head the ball downfield.

    The scoreless stalemate was finally ended when Griffin forward Gary Suarez received a pass in front of the penalty box and contorted himself in mid-air to rocket the ball into the Eagle net.

     Several minutes later the Griffins extended their lead when Mateo Suarez (no relation to Gary) found a home for the wandering soccer ball in the corner of the Eagle goal.

      Although the Eagles tried desperately, the Griffins successfully defended their two-goal lead for the remainder of the match. 

Jaguar boys prove explosive against Cambridge

     The boys contest between the Jaguars and Knights looked like it was going to be a fairly even affair through much of the first half, even though the Jaguars scored the first two goals on well placed shots by Josue Abuawad, and narrowly missed on open net opportunity.

     But Knight Anthony Salvatierra was able to pierce the Jaguar defense and launch an unstoppable shot into the left hand side of the goal to make the score 2-1, and it looked for a while like the game might be a real contest.

     This was not to be the case, however, as the explosive Jaguar offense would score two more times in the half to take a commanding lead of 4-1 at halftime.

     The game had a peculiar rhythm to it. For a while it would proceed on a seemingly even basis, with Cambridge winning its share of balls in the open field, but then the Jaguars would suddenly strike.

     Cambridge goalie Mauricio Soto did his best to keep the game close. On the sequence that resulted in Cooperative’s third goal the Knight eighth-grader repelled two shots before Jaguar Esteban Sauto was able to head a high bouncing rebound into the goal.

     The fourth Jaguar goal was a decisive blast by Nicolas Cronenbold that was still rising when it hit the back post, caroming back out onto the field beyond the point Cronenbold had kicked it from.

     The Jaguars added one more goal in the second half when winger Nicolas Aguirre made a long looping run  from the right-hand side of the goal. The Cambridge defense was slow in getting back to meet him. While Soto frantically gestured for help, Aguirre had several undisturbed seconds to line up a shot into the far side of the goal. He didn't miss.

     The Cambridge boys can take some solace in the fact that they are the only team to score on Cooperative so far this year, and they did it three times.

Jaguar Fernanda Vaca Diez races Knights Lucia Candia (17) and Isadora
Zaghinji down the sideline -- Ximena Fagan 

Jaguar girls set scoring records against Lady Knights


     The girls contest had more of the feel of a friendly scrimmage than a playoff game. Cambridge apparently decided that the way to prepare for the future was to let some of its younger players take their lumps against a Jaguar team that will probably be remembered as the best in League history, and for much of the game the Knights had six junior varsity players on the field.

Tania Landivar'seight goals set a new League record.-- Ximena Fagan 

     Cooperative wasn’t at full strength either. Four of its starters were absent attending a Global Issuues Network conference in Lima, Peru, including the heart of its defense, senior fullbacks Carla Limpias and Ana Peredo.

     However, the Jaguars offense was at full strength, and they handled the ball for much of the game, seemingly able to score at will.

      The game will probably be recalled in the record books for the Jaguars total score of 13, and for Tania Landivar’s individual total of eight goals. Both are League records and likely to remain so for some time.

     Cooperative also got three goals from Fernanda Vaca Diez and two from Giovanna Varalta.

Varsity Soccer Semifinals - Scoreboard for October 20

Boys Varsity

International d. Christian Learning 2-0

Cooperative d. Cambridge 5-1

Girls Varsity

International d. Christian Learning 2-1

Cooperative d Cambridge 13-0

Varsity Volleyball Playoffs - Scoreboard - October 18

Boys Varsity

International d. Cambridge 2-0 (25-19, 25-8)

Cooperative d. Christian Learning 2-0 (25-20. 25-15)

Girls Varsity

International d. Christian Learning 2-0 (25-12, 25-7)

Cooperative d. Cambridge 2-0 (25-15, 25-10)*

 ___________


·  These set scores may be slightly revised. The scoreboard was malfunctioning and it wasn’t possible to check the official scoresheet Tuesday night.  

Varsity Volleyball Playoffs

Jaguars, Griffins Triumph In Volleyball Semis

By David Boldt and Sung-Eun Song

The battle is not always to the strong, nor the race always to the swift -- but that is the way to bet. Or so goes the old Las Vegas axiom, and so went the varsity volleyball semifinals held at International Tuesday afternoon.

A bettor who bet the favorite in all four contests would have cleaned up, as the favored team won in each case, usually by a comfortable margin, though there were some attempted upsets.

As a result, teams from International and Cooperative will face each other in both the boys and girls championship games next week, while teams from Cambridge and Christian Learning will have to battle for third-place bragging rights in the consolation games.

On the bright side, all of the games in the finals – both championship and consolation contests – promise to be close and exciting, whereas Tuesday’s action tended more toward the cut-and-dried with all four matches being decided in straight sets, often by overwhelming scores. 

Boys: Underdogs Put Up a Fight 

Interestingly, the team that may have come closest to pulling off a successful insurrection was the Cambridge boys team. Cambridge has not won a boys volleyball game in years, but the last time they did so it was an upset victory over a heavily favored team in the playoffs, and they seemed to have thoughts of doing it again.

Playing against undefeated International, the Knights battled point-for-point with the Griffins until 19-19, at which point the Griffins decided that this nonsense had to stop and won the next six points,moved ahead, finally taking the set 25-19.
     Both teams continued to play in an up tempo, aggressive style in the second set, but International took at 8-2 lead and stayed in control of this one winning easily 25-8.

Juan Sebastian Narvaez led the Griffin attack, deftly switching tactics as needed – spiking the ball when that was going to work, tapping the ball into an open spot when that seemed the more likely way to score. Santiago Maldonado likewise scored kill, after kill for the Griffins. The Griffins servers were faster and more accurate

The Knights made some nice plays, particularly in receiving service and making defensive digs, but couldn’t manage the consistency and power needed to match the Griffins.

Christian Learning, for its part, put up a spirited defense in the first set against Cooperative before losing 25-20. The Eagles were battling for every point, and there were several long rallies. Jesse Mann was outstanding for the Eagles.

The second set consisted of alternating runs by the two teams. Christian Learning actually led 6-4 in the early stages, but then the Jaguars switched to a more aggressive style and were soon in full command, while Christian Learning struggled to find its rhythm.

A ball-handling error seemed to deflate the Eagles, and the Jaguars took advantage of the shift in momentum to take command of the set, which they won 25-15.

 Girls: More like Executions than Contests

Christian Learning really never had a chance against undefeated International, which won 25-12, 25-7, keeping intact its record of not having lost a set this year. 

The International attack was led by Maria Victoria Gutierrez, Beatriz Nallar and eighth grader Clara Harangue. Nallar personally powered five straight kills in the opening moments of the match to give the Griffins an 11-4 lead they never relinquished.

Eagles Rebecca Kindle and Susana Alvarez managed some good blocks, but the Eagles were never able to figure a way to consistently stop the International offense.

The Eagles hopes were decisively crushed in the second set when Harriague reeled off eight consecutive service aces.

Cambridge had only marginally better luck against Cooperative, losing both sets by double-digit margins. (The exact scores were in doubt Tuesday night because of a scoreboard malfunction and the unavailability of the official score sheets after the game.)

Cooperative dominated play from the start, moving out to a 7-2 lead in the opening set. Jaguar Ana Peredo seemed able to do whatever was needed, setting the ball perfectly to her teammates when that seemed the best option, smashing it herself when that seemed called for. Tania Landivar’s quick responses on defense often kept a ball in play. The Jaguars’ team play was a marvel to behold.

Cambridge got some good blocks by Lisa Delboy, and Valeria LaTorre managed several kills and blocks, but it wasn’t enough to stall the Griffins momentum, which just rolled on.

Revised Playoff Schedule Now Available

The new and improved 2011 Volleyball and Soccer playoff schedule is now posted in the "Playoff Schedule - 2011 V-ball and Soccer" tab above. Show up and support your school!

Varsity Girls Volleyball - October 13

Griffins Show Knights Why They Are #1
By Larissa M. Dagnoni, CC

     The International varsity girls volleyball team demonstrated why it is undefeated this season as they defeated 2-0 a Cambridge team that had come to the International gym Thursday afternoon prepared to show the Griffins it could compete on their level.

      The Griffins won the first set 25-13, and the second 25-11.

     The Knights started confidently, and during the early first set were refusing to let the ball drop. They ran to retrieve the ball, slid and blocked with skill and success. Diana Mendez from the Knights served the ball effectively, and it seemed that the team might indeed be prepared to challenge the Griffins. .

     The Lady Knights all-out efforts kept the game close, but the Griffins were doing it all a little bit better, and when the score reached 21-13 the Griffins apparently decided to show the upstart Knights why they are number one in the League. With relentless pressure they won the final four points to take the set and finally crack the Knights’ confidence.

     The second set started with strong spike from Mendez, but the Cambridge team was too nervous, and couldn’t match the efficiency and ability of the Griffin girls. . Between strong, decisive strikes from eighth grader Ciara Harriague and intense blocks from  Florencia Sosa and Pamela Suarez, the Griffin team nailed point after point, leaving the lady Knights far behind. The second set ended 25-11.

     The Griffins finish atop the League with a 5-0 record. They will play Christian Learning in next week’s semifinals, Cambridge, which finished third, will play second-place Cooperative.

      The smart money will be on International, which demonstrated Thursday that even against a determined foe they maintain their calm, with a lot of communication among teammates.

      The stands were pretty much empty for the game, but the lack of crowd support for both teams was not a problem since both the Griffins and Knights girls supported each other with screams and cheers. In the playoffs they should get some help from their fans.

Jaguars Dominate Eagles In Season Finale

By Nicolas Handal, SCCS

     The Cooperative varsity girls volleyball defeated Christian Learning, two sets to none, on Thursday afternoon in the Jaguars gym, with a small crowd consisting mostly of Christian Learning supporters on hand.

      Cooperative dominated play thoroughly, despite the lack of support in the stands, right from the start.  

      The game started with eight straight points for Cooperative on the serves of Ana Peredo, who smashed the ball with a speed and accuracy that didn’t give her opponents much of a chance.

       The first set was characterized by lots of serving skill on the part of the Jaguars. When the ball did come back it was usually soft and easy for the Jaguars to handle. The first set ended up with the Jaguars winning by 16 points, 25-9.

      The second set was very similar. The Jaguars continued with their precision service, and the Eagles started to lose faith as the Jaguars continued to roll up points.

       There were some wicked strikes from Jaguar Nabila Farah that seemed to drive Christian Learning crazy. The set ended symbolically on an unforced Eagle error, 25-5.

      The Jaguars finished second in the League with a 4-1 record, and will face Cambridge in the first round of the playoffs next week. Christian Learning faces the unpalatable task of taking on undefeated International in the semifinals.

JV Girls Volleyball - October 13

Griffin JV Girls Quash Attempted Knight Comeback
By Larissa M. Dagnoni, CC

     The International junior volleyball girls’ team played against Cambridge at home on Thursday, and won both sets in decisive fashion.

     The lady Griffins started off with a Ciara Harriague serving and quickly moved ahead. Harriague would ultimately have the most serves in the game, many of them aces. And when she wasn’t serving she was hitting spikes to which the Knights were often unable to respond. And when Harriague wasn’t slamming the ball, it seemed that Pamela Suarez was.

     The lady Knights were a bit un-prepared for the first set of the game, and didn’t seem to have the experience and calmness that the Griffin girls brought to the game. The Knights were lucky to have Nicole Fermin blocking, and Denise Navallo serving the ball, in order to get as many points as they did. But even though the Cambridge team was doing their best, it wasn’t enough to stop the Griffins, and the first set ended with the Griffins winning 25-13.

     When the second set started it seemed that now the Knights were more prepared, and had their heads in the game. They definitely stepped up their game, and the Griffins, who had it easy during the first set, found things getting more complicated in the second set. A great first point scored by Mako Ueno from Cambridge started the set, constant blocks from her teammate Carolina Rea kept the energy and the confidence from the team up.

      The game score was really close at the beginning, with the Griffins ahead by a single point at 6-5. It was the Griffins who now seemed to get nervous and who started making mistakes. But the Griffins seemed to finally decide that they did not like the idea that the Knights were gaining on them on their home court, and began to reassert their control of the game.

      Harriague started blocking every spike coming from the other side, and her team started to score again. They opened a seven-point lead at 18-11, and eventually won the set and the match 25-14.

Jaguars JV Subdues Eagles in See-Saw Battle

By David Boldt

     The Cooperative junior varsity girls volleyball team won an epic three-set match against Christian Learning Thursday afternoon in their home gym.

     Christian Learning won the opening set 28-26 in a marathon battle in which the lead seemed to be constantly changing hands, and in which Cooperative’s advantage at the service line was somewhat neutralized by a lack of consistent accuracy.

     The deciding point was a Jaguar serve that went straight into the net, something that shouldn’t happen on set point. .

     In the second set, two factors seemed to work in favor of the Jaguars and against the Eagles. First, the Eagles seemed to lose focus, and there were frequent breakdowns in communication over who, for instance, was going to field a serve. Second, the Jaguar servers seemed to find the range.

    Most of the Cooperative girls hit high-speed overhand serves that were hard to handle when they went in. Christian Learning favored underhand serves that were accurate, but not as challenging to return.

    Cooperative took the set easily 25-10.

    The Jaguars momentum carried over into the first part of the third set, in which the Jaguars jumped out to a six-point lead, 7-1, and stayed comfortably ahead until the score stood 11-5 in their favor.

    At that point the Eagles pulled their socks up, stopped making unforced errors. They also began making more effective use of Emily Mercado, their tallest player, and one of the few players on the court capable of getting above the net and, if not actually spiking the ball, at least tapping it almost directly downward.

     Quickly the Eagles brought the score to 12-10, then 12-12, and it appeared to be, as the expression goes, a brand-new ball game.

     However, Cooperative serving advantage reasserted itself at that point. Natalia Medina served up three good serves.  The last one found an open spot in the Eagle formation and hit the floor untouched, providing a somewhat anticlimactic ending to the struggle.

Varsity Boys Soccer - October 13

Jaguars Demolish Eagles 7-0
By Jesse Mann, SCCLC

The Cooperative Varsity Jaguars decimated the Eagles Thursday afternoon with a ferocious offensive strategy that overwhelmed the Christian Learning defense. The Jaguars took possession of the ball immediately after the kick off and maintained firm control throughout the match. Cooperative forwards Esteban Sauto, Nicolas Aguirre, Josue Abuawad, Nicolas Cronenbol, Juan Carlos Jaguna, and Milan Marinkovic executed a stunning display of teamwork as they repeatedly advanced up the field with precise passes that bypassed the Eagle defenders. Each of these forwards scored a goal sometime during the match, with the exception of Sauto, who scored two. This determined assault ultimately gave the Jaguars an indomitable lead over the Eagles, although two yellow cards were awarded as a result of their aggressive play. The Eagles fought hard to move the ball past midfield and accomplished nothing beyond a couple stifled corner kicks and a few weak shots on goal. Near the end of the second half a foul deep in the Jaguar end of the field gave the Eagles their first chance to challenge the Cooperative lead. Eagle Sami Frith launched the soccer ball above a wall defenders and nearly deposited it in the upper right hand corner of the net. However, Jaguar goalie Eduardo Ribera hurled himself toward the advancing ball and just managed to tip it over the crossbar, achieving his first save of the game. After a few more minutes of Jaguar dominance, the match ended with a final score of 7-0.

Griffins Overcome Knights 3-0
By Oscar Prudencio, SCIS

     The game started after a slight delay, and both teams reeked of energy and anticipation to take each other on. The Griffins started with their same old strategy (full steam ahead), attempting to score in the first few minutes. The Knights played smart, anticipating this strategy. From the start they formed a barrier, letting no ball anywhere near their goalie. However, speedy Griffin forward Gary Suarez managed to outrun this Knight barrier to score the first goal for the Griffins. This acted as an incentive for the rest of the Griffins to get pumped up and ready to score again, but its also as a reminder for the Knights to stand their ground, and repel the Griffin attacks as well as possible. The strong Knights barrier managed to slow the Griffins down until the end of the first half.

     The second half soon started and the match continued. Here, the Griffins played very aggressively, working like a jackhammer to pound the Knight defense apart. The Knights continued to play safe, but they took advantage of a loose ball and nearly scored a goal. However, Griffin defender Bruno Cesconeto saved the ball when it was inches from the goal. The ball then made its way to the Knight goalie. It rebounded off of him, and Griffin Jose Eduardo Coloma took the chance to score second Griffin goal. Less than a minute later, Griffin Santiago Maldonado scored the third and final goal of the game. The Griffins could have potentially scored many more goals, but a lack of communication and focus lead to their victory being slightly less impressive.

JV Boys Soccer - October 13

Jaguars Rally to Defeat Eagles 4-2
By Jesse Mann, SCCLC

After falling behind the Eagles for the first time this season, the Cooperative Junior Varsity Jaguars rallied to score four goals against the Christian Learning Center. But the hardy JV Eagles stubbornly fought the Jaguars every step of the way, and managed to maintain a steady offensive effort of their own throughout the match. An early penalty kick off a Jaguar hand ball provided Eagle forward Luke Phillips an irresistible scoring opportunity that put the Eagles in the lead 1-0. The Jaguars, however, would not be put down so easily. Less than a minute after the ball rolled into the corner of the Cooperative net, Jaguar Gabriel Romero roared through the Eagle defense and scored with a well placed shot that slid past the goalie. The match then became a relentless dribbling match during the remainder of the first half until Romero scored again at the start of the second, putting  the Jaguars ahead 2-1. Yet the Eagles refused to abandon their quest for victory, and pressed forward hard against the Cooperative defense. 

About ten minutes into the second half the Eagles were rewarded for their efforts when a shot on the Jaguar goal was fumbled by the Cooperative goalie. With the score tied once again, the match erupted into furious battle for possession of the ball as both teams sought desperately to score a winning goal. The Jaguars ended the stalemate when Romero once again launched the ball toward the Eagle net, causing it to bounce off a defender and into the goal. This lead was widened a few minutes later when another Jaguar offensive effort deposited the ball in the Eagle net. Although challenged fiercely by several last minute Eagle attempts on goal, the Jaguars’ two goal lead held firm, resulting in a 4-2 Cooperative victory. 

Griffins Achieve 2-1 Win Over Knights
By Oscar Prudencio, SCIS

     This game started without any problems or delays as both teams shook hands, eager to start. From the very beginning, Griffin forwards played very aggressively to try to score in the first few minutes. The Cambridge defense held strong, not wanting to let this happen so early in the game. The Knight defense managed the Griffins' quick attacks, forming a human wall in a matter of seconds. For a long period of time, nothing big happened between either team. The ball simply flew from one side of the court back to the other. It was clear though that as the game advanced, the Knights made more attempts to score than the Griffins, who simply tried to keep the ball off of their side of the court. It was SCIS forward, Danny Hanley that took the initiative for his team, scoring an outstanding first goal for the match, and giving the Griffins a 1-0 lead. The Knights began to push the Griffins back, and tried to score in order to achieve a tie game. But the Griffins under no circumstances were willing to give Cambridge that opportunity. The first half soon ended, with the Griffins ahead 1-0.

     As the second half started, the Griffins were eager to finish the match or perhaps score again. However, the Knights were just as eager to tie and gain the chance to win themselves. Both teams were under pressure from the crowds who gave a rather strong support (unlike in previous games). The Griffins began to be bombarded by Knight forwards, and soon the Griffin goalie gave in and the Knights were able to score a goal to tie the match. Obviously forward Danny Hanley of the Griffins wasn't happy about this, so he decided to immediately put the pressure back onto the Knight defense. He soon scored a second and final goal for the Griffins a couple of minutes before the end of the match. Both teams showed great skill and power, and Cambridge showed how quickly they can get back up from behind. However, the Griffins showed just how determined they are to get to the final, and hopefully face old time rival SCCS.

Scoreboard for October 13th

Boys JV Soccer:

Cooperative 4, Christian Learning 2

International 2, Cambridge 1

Boys Varsity Soccer

Cooperative 7, Christian Learning 0

International 3, Cambridge 0

Girls JV Volleyball

Cooperative d. Christian Learning 2-1 (26-28, 25-10, 15-12)

International d. Cambridge 2-0 (25-13, 25-14)

Girls Varsity Volleyball

International d. Cambridge  2-0 (25-13, 25-11)

Cooperative d. Christian Learning 2-0 (25-9. 25-5)

Stories to come...

JV Boys Soccer

COLLISION COURSES -- Knights Alejandro Marinaro and Daniel Kirigin
 battle  for the ball with Jaguars Paul Valle and Tommy Yeatts.  -- Julia Boldt  

Note: This game was originally postponed from September 29.


Thrills galore as Knights triumph 2-1

    The Cambridge boys junior varsity soccer team defeated Cooperative 2-1 in a thrill-filled, action-packed game played in front of almost no one on the Jaguar field Wednesday afternoon under gray skies.

     This was the make-up game for the contest postponed last Thursday when the referees failed to show up on time. The win moves Cambridge, at least for the moment, into second place in the League standings behind undefeated International.

  

SWING YOUR PARTNER -- Knight
Daniel Kirigin and Jaguar Tomas
Yeatts do a a Do-si-do -- Julia Boldt

   But the game’s main effect may be to make the rivalry between the Knights and Jaguars, who will presumably meet again in the semi-finals not matter what happens in the last games of the regular season Thursday, even edgier than it already is. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie in their first meeting.

      International will be playing Christian Learning in the other semi-final bracket.

Both the Jaguars and Knights had early chances to score, For Cambridge Mauricio Soto threaded a pass in to Percy Vidal right in front of the Jaguar goal, but a defender arrived in the nick of time to thwart the threat.

      Jaguar right wing Gabriel Romero got off two beautiful crossing passes – but there was no one waiting to receive them.

      Both teams were passing crisply and moving the ball upfield, but goalies Luis Peredo for Cooperative and Sebastian Carrasco for Cambridge were handling all the balls that got through.

     The scoring drought ended when little Jose Carlos Paz swiveled his way in toward the goal, coming along the baseline from the left, and popped the ball between Carrasco and the near post at point blank range to put the Jaguars ahead 1-0.

     The Jaguars nearly scored again moments later, but Carrasco this time tapped the ball upward twice, and then gathered it in.

     Meanwhile the Knights were giving Peredo plenty of business at the other end of the field. They evened the score when Mauricio Soto took charge of a loose ball at midfield, and took off on a long run in which he faked out two defenders before drilling the ball into the left-hand side of the net.

     Both teams continued to threaten as the half wound down. A Jaguar header off a corner kick missed just to the right of the goal. Then, in the aftermath of a free kick by Soto, Cambridge forwards got off three strong shots, but all were fended off.

      The half ended with the score still deadlocked, 1-1.

     Things picked up right where they had left off in the second half. Immediately after the kickoff Paz got off a high velocity shot at the upper edge of the goal that Carrasco had to leap high to corral.

LOOKING UP FOR GUIDANCE? -- Knight Mauricio
Soto hopes to send the ball back upfield. Jaguar
 Enzo Chambruzzi hopes he won't -- Julia Boldt

     This was immediately followed by the Jaguars closest effort to score in the second half as Paz drove in along the baseline to the left of the goal again, pulling goalie Carrasco over to stop him in the process. At that point Paz got off a pass to Tommy Yeatts in front of the now open goal. However, his shot rolled across the open net – and off to the other side.

     Now the momentum seemed to swing to Cambridge as the Knights exploited a genetic advantage it had – their defenders were taller than the Jaguar strikers. The Knights now began to win more than their share of the duels for the high, bounding balls the Jaguars sent upfield.

    Several of the defenders were then able to carry the ball down into Jaguar territory where they passed it to right wing Vidal, giving him a series of scoring opportunities in which the footwork was there, but the timing was a little off. He missed just high, and then just right with whistling kicks from well within his range.

    Cambridge got the go ahead goal when a powerful corner kick by Leonardo Arjes  ended up in a sort of rugby scrum in front of the far goal post. After the ball was kicked around for some time, Horacio Morales put it out of its misery knocking it into the safety of the goal, putting Cambridge ahead 2-1.

    There were more thrills and chills in the final minutes, including a near miss by the Jaguars on a shot that was just outside the left post.

    For Cambridge there were a succession of corner kicks, and Vidal finally put a shot on the goal that looked like a sure score, but goalie Peredo punched it to the side.

    At long last the game-ending whistle blew.    

Scoreboard for October 11th

Girls JV Soccer*

Christian Learning 0, Cooperative 0 (Christian Learning won penalty shootout 4-2)

Girls Varsity Soccer*

Cooperative 10, Christian Learning 0

Boys JV Volleyball

Cooperative d. Christian Learning 2-0 (25-16, 25-10)

International d. Cambridge 2-0 (25-5. 26-24)

Boys Varsity Volleyball

Cooperative d. Christian Learning 2-0 (25-15, 25-14)

International d. Cambridge 2-0 (25-16. 25-23)

*Soccer games at International were postponed due to rain

Stories to come...