Boys soccer ends regular season in overtime victory

Senior Frankie Fernandez fights for control of the ball during the team;s last league game. Photo by Vincent Crosbie

The varsity boys soccer team triumphed over the Mission Prep Royals on Senior Night, Tuesday, Feb. 4, to end their season on a high note. The match was a nailbiter until sophomore Caleb Newby scored from 40 yards away with just a minute left in double overtime to end the scoreless stalemate. The victory, however, was bittersweet as it was the last match for seniors, Seth Camp, Jimmie Claudio, Noah Carlisle, Natahn Hontz, Jose Huitron, Wyatt Hasch, Geraldo Ayala, Manny Elias, Frankie Fernandez, and Julian Piepenberg. Their camaraderie and team spirit was on full display as the fans and their teammates celebrated their contributions to a great team.

Leading up to that stunner of an ending, the entire game was a defensive battle leading to gridlock. Camp managed to keep the Royals out of the goal box, and Ryan Bianco nearly scored earlier in the match, but no one could get a point for the entire game, leading to a lot of frustration and tension among the players.

The first overtime remained scoreless, then a mistake by the Royals opened the door for the Hounds to take the win. The Royals’ keeper fielded the ball rather than punting it. It bounced off JJ Subia’s back and into perfect position for Newby to make the winning play.

That match ended the regular season with the Hounds 10-11-2 overall, but in the Ocean League, they ended 8-4, so the team can be proud of a successful season that qualified the team. The wait is on to see who their opponent will be in the first round of CIF play.