Wildcats claim first title since 2014 in dramatic fashion
SAN JOSE >> Los Gatos midfielder Macie Yannoni isn't usually in the box on corner kicks, but the junior found herself at the right place and at the time to produce the winning goal in the Wildcats' 2-1 double-overtime victory over Piedmont Hills in the Central Coast Section Division III championship game on Saturday.
“Usually I take the corners, but Caitlyn (Simons) can drop it right on the sticks, and so I figured I'd get in,” said the diminutive Yannoni. “I seriously think that's the first time I've ever scored on a header in my whole life. … I just jumped as high as I could and I just tried to get my body on it.”
Simons, who had both of Los Gatos' assists in the championship win at Del Mar High School, sent a perfect corner kick from the right side into the box. Yannoni rose among the defenders to head the ball in at the 96-minute, 33-second mark for the game-winning goal.
“We trained all season for this moment, and we talked about the mentality of it, just staying competitive, just staying focused,” said Los Gatos coach Jessica Ingram, whose team won the program's first section title since 2014. “I could not be more proud of this group.”
“We're really good at coming back and just working together, and we all want it for each other,” Yannoni said.
Los Gatos advanced to the California Interscholastic Federation Norcal Division III playoffs, where is seeded second. The Wildcats hosted No. 7 Cardinal Newman-santa Rosa on Tuesday after this article's deadline. The winner advanced to the semifinals on Thursday, with the final this Saturday at 5 p.m.
In the CCS final, Los Gatos took a 1-0 lead at the 31:45 mark when freshman
Darcy Armstrong beat defenders to a bouncing pass by Simons inside the box and used her body to push the ball past the goalkeeper into the net.
Piedmont Hills, the No. 1 seed in the CCS Division III bracket, tied the score early in the second half. But Los Gatos, seeded second, dominated play for most of the
game, outshooting Piedmont Hills 19-9.
“Even if you're controlling the game, your momentum's there, everything is good, you just have to continue to fight — and that's exactly what they did,” Ingram said.
The game remained tied at one through the first 10-minute overtime before
Yannoni's decisive score.
Los Gatos reached the championship game with a 3-1 victory over visiting Valley Christian on Feb. 21. Abby Nelson netted two goals for the Wildcats and teammate Maci Schwab added another. Simons also had an assist in the victory, in which Los Gatos held a 2-0 halftime lead.
Boys soccer
In the CCS Division II championship game Saturday at Del Mar, Los Gatos battled in a scoreless tie until a red card left the Wildcats down a man in the second half, and Hollister took advantage in a 2-0 victory.
“It doesn't take away from an incredible season,” Los Gatos coach Joel Fumia said.
Right after the red card, Hollister struck immediately when Hernan Alessandro Alvares Funes advanced up the left side of the field on a set piece for a goal at the 61:07 mark. The final goal of the game was scored in extra time by Bryan Hernandez.
Hollister, the No. 8 seed, upset No. 1 Westmont 3-2 in overtime in the first round. The Haybalers then edged No. 5 Serra 2-1 before shutting out the third-seeded Wildcats, who finished 143-4 and a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division title.
Leon Sarashki had seven saves in the game for Los Gatos, including six in the second half.
The Wildcats reached the final with an incredible semifinal victory. Los Gatos and No. 2 Menlo School were tied at four after two overtimes before Los Gatos prevailed in the penaltykick shootout 12-11.
Los Gatos' scoring consisted of two goals from Keegan Mctighe and one apiece from Shlok Shrivastava and Max Lees. Shrivastava passed for two assists, and Mike Vick added another.