Paraclete beats Sierra Canyon in season finale
LANCASTER — The Paraclete boys soccer players knew they needed a win against Sierra Canyon on Thursday to strengthen their chances of an at-large playoff bid.
The Spirits took full advantage of the situation scoring four goals to the delight of the large home crowd in a 4-0 Gold Coast League victory.
“We’ve struggled to score goals throughout league play, but I told the boys today I want four goals,” Paraclete first-year coach Ryan Carper said. “And that’s exactly what they gave me, so I was really proud that they came out and did that.”
The seniors were honored after the game for senior night, which made the win all that more special.
“This game meant a lot, especially it being senior night,” senior forward Matthew Hong said. “We really wanted to win. It was great, the support that we had from everybody out here.”
It was also a big win because the last time the two teams met they tied 1-1.
“It was a really big win for us,” Carper said.
Hong scored a hat trick for the Spirits (10-7-4, 3-5-4 GCL) as he recorded the opening and closing goals.
“It feels amazing, especially it being senior night and potentially my last game,” Hong said. “I’m glad I had it on this day. I’ve got to give it to Sierra Canyon, they battled.”
Hong put Paraclete up 1-0 in
the 31st minute after a nice set piece had him waiting for the ball in front of the goal before he kicked it straight in. The 1-0 score held up at halftime.
“The first goal felt good, but there was still a lot of game in front of us,” Hong said. “I knew we had to stay in it and keep fighting.”
Sierra Canyon had more chances in the second half. Paraclete goalkeeper Logan Reese came out of the goal for a save, but the ball deflected and bounced in front of the goal line before Paraclete senior Joseph Soliz kicked it away. Daniel Burgos also cleared the ball on a similar play.
“There were a couple of scary moments,” Carper said. “Joseph had that one where he cleared it off the line, that was pretty intense. But they held it down.”
Hong gave the Spirits an insurance goal in the 61st minute when he was fouled in the box and converted the PK into the right side of the net.
“I told (Hong) today, ‘You need to score, because it’s been too long,’” Carper said. “It’s been a couple of games without him scoring, so it was nice for him to get a couple of goals. … He played the entire game, he didn’t come out. So for him to run for 80 minutes like he did was impressive.”
Thirteen minutes later, junior forward Matthew Martel put Paraclete up 3-0, converting a free kick.
“The free kick, originally we practiced it at practice and it worked, so we tried it out in the game and it was successful,” Martel said. “It was a great feeling. A great way to put us up by three goals.”
One minute after Martel’s goal, Hong scored on a breakaway, flicking the ball into the goal with ease.
“It was a lot of fun being out here,” Hong said.
Paraclete, which is ranked No. 6 in CIF-Southern Section Division 7, hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2012, so making it would be a big accomplishment, especially for the seniors.
“First time in eight years for the school, so it would mean a lot,” Hong said.
The team is hoping to start a different playoff streak.
“It would mean a lot,” Martel said. “It would make me feel like I made history for the school. I would for sure do my best to win CIF for this team as a team captain.”
Reese made about eight saves for the Spirits, most of them in the second half.
No matter what happens when the playoff brackets are released on Saturday, the Spirits are happy with the direction of their season under Carper.
“It was a great season with the team,” Hong said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys. We’re all brothers out here and I really enjoyed this last season with them.”
Paraclete girls tie Sierra Canyon
The Paraclete girls soccer team played a strong defensive game against Sierra Canyon and ended the regular season with a 0-0 tie on Thursday.
The last time the two teams played, Sierra Canyon walked away with a 5-0 victory.
“Today was some of the best soccer they played, they left it on the field,” Paraclete coach Tracey Hill said. “We had a strategy to play, we knew our opponent and we executed the strategy perfectly. It frustrated them and we were successful at shutting them down.”
The Paraclete players played all out for 80 minutes.
“It was a very physical game,” Hill said. “But I am proud of my girls, they kept their composure.”
Alexis Armenta had several saves in goal for the Spirits (9-9-4, 3-6-2 GCL).
“She had a lot of action, she was focused and in the game,” Hill said. “She did a great job today. Our defense has been one of our strong suits. We struggle to put the ball in the net, but they all did a fantastic job today.”
The Spirits put in for an at-large bid in the playoffs and are hoping to get a shot at the postseason.
“If we get an opportunity I think we could be really successful playing teams in our same division,” Hill said. “Fingers crossed. I told the girls to say a prayer before Saturday when we find out, so we’ll see what happens.”