Boys’ varsity soccer wrapped up its second Div. VII section title in three years Saturday morning at Folsom High School, knocking off Tioga 1-0.

Senior Brad Antognini scored the deciding goal with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, heading senior Chris Lopez’s corner kick into the back off the net.

“I was running near post, and I jumped very high and headed the ball into the net,” Antognini said.

During the game’s final seconds, however, Tioga gave the Cavs a major scare, as Timberwolves defender Jake Olson launched a free kick over the head of sophomore goalie Alex Graves.

Senior Miles Bennett-Smith preserved the Cavs’ lead and prevented overtime with a spectacular bicycle kick, sending the ball away from goal just before it crossed the line.

“I circled behind [Graves], guessed where the ball would land, and wound up in perfect position,” Bennett-Smith said. “It was a split second reaction to keep the ball out of goal.”

Seconds later, the whistle blew, and the Cavs rushed the field, regaining their section crown after losing it to Big Valley Christian last year.

Antognini called the goal the most important in his soccer career.

“I’m just glad to have the opportunity to score a championship-winning goal,” he said.

Tioga was sent home disappointed for the third straight season. The Timberwolves are three-time defending champions of the Mountain Valley League, but fell to Faith Christian 4-2 in last year’s semifinals.

Saturday’s game was a rematch of the 2006 title game, which the Cavs won 2-0 behind two Bennett-Smith goals and a strong defense, featuring goalie Mikel Follette, ’07.

Bennett-Smith believes the Cavs faced a stronger opponent this year, featuring stronger players at important positions.

But he also saw this year’s Cavs’ team as superior. Two years ago the team relied on defense, but this year’s team posted huge goal totals in many of its games.

“We were a much better all-around team, with many more year-round players,” Bennett-Smith said.

After two section titles in three years, the Cavs have become the team to beat in Div. VII.