Boys JV Soccer vs de Toledo

Today was a lot of firsts for the Rams’ junior squad. The team has been consistently matched up with more experienced and highly organized sides, and it was a breath of fresh air to have a more even matchup. Early on, Cate was possessing the ball more than we have all season, and junior Albert Barber and sophomore Sean Harbison were winning one on ones and creating opportunities, only to find their shots sailing just over the bar. Cate had, at this point, yet to score a goal this season, and everyone was desperate to, as Mr. Ransom so wisely termed it, “put the biscuit in the basket”.

Cate continued to possess and exerted pressure on the Jaguars, keeping the ball in their half. Pass followed pass, opportunities came and went. Excitement on the pitch, and on the bench, was growing. Within the next few minutes, freshman Justin Musyimi gathered a pass from the midfield, displayed his blazing speed while beating two defenders, then slotted home the first goal of the season for the team. With the monkey off their back, the team collected itself and struck again twice more in the first half, first on a beautiful long ball from junior James Marin, who banged an arcing, back-spinning pass from just inside half over the de Toledo backline right into the path of fellow junior Albert Barber, who could not be denied. Barber would strike again a few minutes later, and the Rams entered half leading 3-0.

In the second half, Barber netted a third to complete the hat trick on a clinical header to put the finishing touches on an excellent delivery from freshman Danilo Gallardo. Gallardo impressed both coaches throughout the day by stepping up and playing center back, allowing Barber to play forward, which clearly worked out just fine. Cate finished off the scoring with a cannon-shot from close range off the shin of freshman Alex Tang.

As they have all year, sophomore Daniil Garbuzhov and junior Thor Thongtai anchored the backline, while Marin stepped up to play in the backfield, at times, and junior Zach Hansen continued his relentless assault on opposing defenses. Harbison continued to be in the middle of our best soccer all game, connecting with players and coordinating the transition from defense to offense. In addition, sophomore Filip Sentypal stepped up and played a solid defensive midfield, a position he was forced into due to injuries. Sophomore netminder Aidan Carlander squashed any threats the Jaguars presented, and freshman Brian Payne followed his act with more of the same.

“I’m very proud of these boys and the effort and heart they have displayed all season, and I’m glad they were rewarded with their first win today,” said Coach Swain. The Rams resume play next Tuesday, away, versus the Santa Clara Saints, at 4:00 pm.