This article has been amended. See correction below.

The boys’ soccer team’s hopes of a Sac-Joaquin section title repeat were dashed in a heartbreaking shootout loss to Big Valley Christian in the section semifinals on Nov. 8.

After 80 minutes of regulation game play and two 10-minute overtimes, the game remained scoreless. Both teams had a number of scoring opportunities throughout the game, but the defenses held strong and kept control.

The close matchup was what coach Matt Vargo had expected. “Going into the game, on paper, it was very even. It showed for 100 minutes of scoreless soccer,” Vargo said.

Big Valley Christian went on to win 5-4 on penalty kicks. The difference in the shootout score came when junior Chris Lopez hit the post with his shot on the Cavaliers’ second PK.

“The sound of the ball hitting the post – ‘Bink!’ – went through my head all day and all night,” Lopez said.

The miss put goalie Austin Walter under additional pressure, as he knew he had to save a Lion PK for the Cavs’ season to stay alive.

“I was like ‘Shoot! I have to go in there and stop them,'” he said.

Both teams went on to make the rest of their shots, giving the Lions the win. After Big Valley put the clincher in the back of the net, the entire Country Day team went over and congratulated Walter for his effort.

“I felt like people were treating me like a hero, and I don’t know why,” Walter said.

Vargo was proud of the team’s seniors, who will be forced to end their Country Day soccer careers with the loss.

“They should be very proud of the way they conducted themselves this year and in that game. They should be able to hold their heads up high,” he said.

The returning players, however, are already thinking about getting back on top in the section when they take the field again next year. “They’re going to have to work just as hard next year to accomplish their goals,” Vargo said.

However, players are certain they are up to the task.

Lopez said he is using the pain that he felt after the Big Valley game to make himself an even better player next season.

“I’m going to be working out and building some muscle,” he said.

Lopez awaits a potential rematch between Country Day and Big Valley again next year, and is already seeking revenge. “Next year, it is going to be a completely different story when we face them.”



CROSS COUNTRY

Cross country finished third in the Division V section meet, Nov. 10, at Folsom High School.

The team came up six points short of Jim Elliot Christian, the second-place team. The top two teams in the section qualified for Saturday’s state meet in Fresno.

However, junior Miles Bennett-Smith finished third in the meet with a time of 19:42, and sophomore Marco Siragusa finished fourth.

CORRECTION: Only one Div. V team qualified for state finals. Miles Bennett-Smith finished fourth overall, while Marco Siragusa finished seventh. Only Bennett-Smith qualified for the state meet.