Stevenson and King City boys, Alvarez girls move on
A season littered with historical achievements continues to pile up milestones.
With each win, the celebrations for Stevenson School's boys' soccer team get a little more emotional as the program is in uncharted waters playing in the Northern California Division V playoffs.
“There's no pressure,” goalie Luke Brandler said. “At least that is what we're telling ourselves. No one expected us to be here. The goal is still to improve. That's been essential to us getting to where we are now.”
The top-seeded Pirates playoff ride continues after using a goal in overtime from Nico Arias to secure a 2-1 win over Esparto of Yolo County in Tuesday's quarterfinals.
“This ride just keeps getting better,” said Brandler, who is also one of the top golfers in the Central Coast Section. “We're having a ton of fun. We're just trying to practice another day. I've never experienced anything like this before.”
That's because it's never happened before. Since an 0-3-2 start, Stevenson has gone 15-0-3 to capture the program's first Pacific Coast Athletic League title and first CCS Division V championship.
The Pirates (16-3-5) will host the No. 4 Summerville of Tuolumne — 5-0 winners over No. 5 Gridley — on Thursday at 3 p.m. The Bears are 19-3-1 and have won 12 straight matches.
Brandler has been a big part of the Pirates' defense in the crease, having given up just three goals in an undefeated Cypress Division season, and one in four postseason games.
Yet, for just the second time during an 18-game unbeaten streak, the Pirates found themselves down by a goal when the Sierra Delta League champions took a 1-0 lead in the first half.
“This one added a few more gray hairs,” Stevenson coach Toby Elmore said. “We were playing well. We were creating chances. We just couldn't execute and finish. But the boys appeared confident that we would be able to get an equalizer.”
It just took a little longer than Elmore would have liked as the Pirates didn't put up their first goal until there were 18 minutes left in the match when Henry Blaxter scored an unassisted goal.
“It would be silly to believe the boys didn't feel some nerves,” Elmore said. “Esparto's strengths were through the middle. We tried to cram the middle. I told the boys at the half to draw the center-backs out.”
With Brandler sensational between the pipes with help from defenders Harrison Wilmot and Zach Da Silva, Stevenson kept the Spartans (16-8-1) out of the net.
That set the stage for Arias, whose goal off an assist from Spencer Stornetta five minutes into the 15-minute overtime period — enabled a large crowd to erupt, yet hold their breaths as Stevenson shut out Esparto over the final 10 minutes.
“There's a buzz on campus,” Brandler said. “It's such a special feeling. Soccer hasn't been our strong suit in years past. It was packed today.”
Division IV
KING CITY 5, MATILDA TORRES 1 >> The last time the Mustangs reached the Northern California Division IV playoffs, they went on a 1,200-mile, three-game road trip that ended with a championship.
The road to a potential second title will have at least another home game after the Central Coast Section Division IV champions knocked off No. 7 Matilda Torres of Madera in the quarterfinals.
The Mission Division champion Mustangs will host No. 6 Pacheco of Los Banos — 2-0 upset winners over No. 3 Justin Garza — on Thursday at 5 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium.
“It feels more comfortable being home,” King City coach Jaime Cortes said. “This wasn't a bad team. Long trips can take a toll on teams. I just feel more confident. The three kids that took part in 2022 are showing that leadership.”
Since starting the season 0-5, King City has gone 12-1-5 and is unbeaten in its last 10 matches. It has outscored four postseason opponents 13-2.
Victor Medina produced a pair of goals in the first half as King City built a 3-0 halftime cushion. Damian Aguirre, Israel Saldana and Deon Rodriguez all added goals.
Division III
NEWARK MEMORIAL 2, ALVAREZ 0 >> A historic season came to an end for the Central Coast Section Division III champion Eagles, who were knocked out of the Northern California Division III tournament by top-seed Newark Memorial.
The setback marked just the second time all season that Alvarez has been shutout. It came into the postseason battle having outscored three CCS opponents 7-2.
The Eagles (11-10-2) came into the match unbeaten in their last five games, with three shutouts. The CCS title was the first in the program's history.
Girls Division IV
ALVAREZ 4, MISSION COLLEGE PREP 0 >> Riding a wave of emotion and a careerhigh four goals from Danya Rodriguez, Alvarez has advanced to the Northern California Division IV semifinals after blanking Mission College Prep of San Luis Obispo.
That coupled with No. 2 seed Placer being upset by No. 7 Torres of Madera means the No. 3 seeded Eagles will host again on Thursday at 5 p.m.
“We're excited to be moving on,” Alvarez defender Natalie Vargas said. “I'm glad we get another home game. It gives people a chance to come out and support us. We worked really hard and were able to keep possession most of the game.”
Runner-ups in the Gabilan Division, Alvarez, which is unbeaten in its last seven matches, is the only girls' soccer team from the Pacific Coast Athletic League to still be playing.
“The ladies really motivate each other to work hard,” Alvarez coach Iban Ochoa said. “They train hard every day and it shows on the field. We tell them that it's on them if they want to win. They got the result today.”
In four postseason games, the Eagles (15-6-2), who tied the single-season school record for wins, have outscored opponents 13-2.
Champions of the Central Section, Alvarez will face a Torres squad that is 236-4, with Emma Vasquez having scored 37 goals this year and Elihanna Gallegos having produced 24 goals and 16 assists.
Rodriguez, who came into the match with 16 goals, had the hat trick in the first half for Alvarez, staking them to a 3-0 lead. She added a fourth goal in the second half.
Emma Reyes was credited with a pair of assists, while Jenny Montes and Destiny Lopez each had an assist. Yaneth Mendoza and Addi Barrett shared the shutout between the pipes, while Vargas was a demon on defense.