Cano in the know for Jaguars early in the season
Two years ago the Jesse Bethel High boys soccer team won its first-ever league title by going 9-1. The Jaguars continued to have success in the postseason as they defeated Mira Loma 3-2 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs.
Although Bethel finished tied for second place a year ago with a 8-2-2 record in the newly formed Tri-County Athletic League Stone Division, the Jaguars would like nothing more than to get another league championship and earn more playoff victories. Early in the 2019-20 season, Bethel senior forward Alejandro Cano has the Jaguars headed in the right direction.
Cano scored three goals last week, two in a win over De Anza and one more in 2-1 win over Vacaville. The goal against Vacaville turned out to be the eventual game-winner as Bethel is a perfect 3-0.
Cano is the Times-Herald Athlete of the Week.
“I think I’ve grown more as a soccer player and as a person,” Cano said. “I’m a little more confident and I feel more in control when I’m playing. I also feel like I’m better with my feet. As far as being a better person, that comes with helping out some of the younger players on the team and helping them know what they are supposed to be doing.”
Cano was a junior varsity player two years ago when the
Jaguars won their first league title and playoff contest and he admits this year’s team will attempt to have a lot of the same traits.
“That team had a lot of hard workers with a lot of dedication,” Cano said. “They always seemed to have good chemistry. We want to do the same thing and so far with our 3-0 start it seems like we are.”
In the game against De Anza, Cano scored his first goal on a cross and said, “I was fortunate to get a good tap on it.”
Cano scored his second goal in that game off a rebound.
In the contest on Tuesday against Vacaville the game was tied 1-1 in the second half when Cano’s goal proved to be the difference-maker.
“My own cousin (Matthew Cadavid) gave me a nice pass on that play,” Cano said. “I was able to take a nice shot from outside the 18- (yard line) and thankfully it was able to go in.”
Bethel head coach Matt Ristow is enjoying the play from Cano this year.
“He is the perfect hold-up forward,” the Jaguars coach said. “He can hold the ball to allow others to get involved in the offense and can also finish the ball in the back of the net. It takes a good touch of the ball as well as
a good understanding of the position. He plays not only the offensive side, but the defensive side as well.”
The 17-year-old Cano has been playing soccer since he was 5, with a lot of the time being spent with Cadavid. Cano admitted that the two always seem to know where each other is on the pitch.
Cano said he doesn’t know yet where he will study and play soccer in college but said it will most likely be at a community college. Until then, Ristow is happy to have Cano with the squad for one more year.
Honorable mention
• Reid Buford, Benicia boys cross country. Burford came in 24th place, the top finisher for the Panthers as they
finished in 11th place at the North Coast Section Cross Country Championships in Hayward.
• Kameron Lane, Benicia High football. Lane was 9of 20passing for 244yards and accounted for four touchdowns in a loss to Rancho Cotate.
• Jazmine Fontilla, AmCan girls basketball. Fontilla had 14points and five rebounds in a loss to Nevada Union.
• Sophia Li, Benicia girls cross country. Li finished in 45th place and was the top finisher for the Panthers as they finished in 15th place at the North Coast Section Cross Country Championships.
• Tameiya Sadler, St. Pat’s girls basketball. Sadler scored 18points and had five assists and seven steals in a win over Benicia.