Feb 26, 2004

Leland drill team kicks for recognition

By Miranda Schultz
Sports Editor

When the Leland drill team performed at the homecoming rally earlier this year, many students were surprised to see that a drill team even existed.

“So many people came up to me and told me that they didn't even know we had a drill team,” says Amanda Tyson, senior member of the team.

The seven drill team members practice every Tuesday and Thursday in the cafeteria at Leland. Head Coach Lindsay Bents attributes the low regard for the team to a constant change in staff at Leland, especially in band direction.

“It's been a little difficult to plan any performances or competitions because we have gone through a few band directors in the last couple of years,” says Bents, who has been the drill coach for two years. Bents graduated from Leland two years ago and participated in color guard and the drill team. She's been involved in Leland's drill team for six years.

A drill team usually works in unison with the school band and the color guard. But according to Bents, Leland has a shaky band and a nonexistent color guard this year. Even so, the girls are having fun and working toward performances at school.

“It's something we all look forward to after school,” says Tyson, “We all get along really well; there are only seven of us on the team. Since our team is so small, we bond a lot and we're all in tune with each other.”

Bents says that more than anything else, they are focusing on doing as many performances as possible around school. Bents says, “We're not really sure how much of an option it is to compete right now, considering we don't have much money in our budget. Right now we're just focusing on having fun. The girls have really grown together and they really enjoy each other.”

Since they will be losing four seniors next year, the drill team plans on recruiting at Bret Harte and Castillero middle schools by performing for them, “We want people to be interested in the team so they'll join,” says Tyson, “We want to show them that it's a lot of fun, more than anything else.”

Church reaches out to Via Monte/Hoffman teens
Collaborates with Pioneer High School for local handball tournament

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Recently it occurred to me that my view of the Almaden Valley is warped. Nice cars and million dollar homes don't belong to as many of our community members as it seems. Consider the quality of life that some local teens, particularly those living in the apartments off Almaden Expressway (across from San Jose Water Co.), known as the Via Monte/Hoffman neighborhood, are subjected to.

The area, mostly overlooked on Almaden Expressway—as I speed out of the suburban cocoon toward Highway 85—is home to more than 2,000 families, crammed tightly into four city blocks. Many of these families live two to four families per apartment, according to South Hills Community Church employee Juan Flores.

The residents in the Via Monte/Hoffman neighborhood make far less money than the majority of the Almaden populace, and, as a result, deal with levels of crime and poverty that most of us would find unacceptable.

However, the neighborhood is home to a plethora of untapped young talent, both academic and athletic. Many residents, most who are Hispanic, participate in local sports programs and attend local schools, infusing a diverse cultural identity into the mix.

In 2002, Flores and Larry Brundage, both employees of Almaden's SHCC, teamed up to organize a lunchtime meeting group in association with Pioneer High School, targeting one specific goal: help the families, specifically the teens, in the Via Monte/Hoffman neighborhood.

Since then, the group has contributed hundreds of hours, organizing community service events, in addition to arranging local athletic teams and delving into spiritual conferencing, touching on topics such as personal balance and Christianity.

On Feb. 21, the group sponsored a handball tournament attended by more than 30 Via Monte kids.

“The kids put it together,” said Flores, formerly a truancy worker at Pioneer. “They made the fliers and spread the word. We [Flores and Bundrage] just made it possible.”

Flores and Bundrage arranged for food, trophies, and a DJ, giving the event a party-like atmosphere for the kids to enjoy.

“The group is great for the kids,” continued Flores. “It supports the school [Pioneer], the community, academics and sports. Our program gives the kids an opportunity to attach themselves to something moving towards a good cause.”

Out of 30 handball players, Flores and Bundrage organized two brackets, breaking up the competition according to age. Freshman and sophomores competed amongst themselves while the upperclassmen squared off on the junior/senior court.

When the dust settled, Enrique Solis and Manuel Flores clinched the ninth-10th-grade title, while Jorge Rodriguez and Jose Gonzales walked away as the handball kings of the 11th and 12th graders.

“Everybody needs direction,” concluded Flores, touching on the value of participating in the group. “I don't sit up on my soapbox [claiming I've never sinned]. Our group helps the kids learn balance. We try to promote a better way of life. I don't think it's good to sit back and talk about how dog eat dog [this area] is out there. At some point it's important to go out and try to improve the situation.”

Soccer league kicks in support of positive coaching

By Miranda Schultz
Sports Editor

The Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League (AVYSL) has formed a partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) as part of a targeted effort to provide the most positive experience for its athletes.

PCA is a Stanford University-based nonprofit organization that works with coaches, organizational leaders and parents to more effectively teach young athletes not only how to win, but how to learn about teamwork,
discipline, respect and goal-setting through their sports experience.

“We are very excited about the ability to teach our youth athletes that the game is not just about winning” says AVYSL President Terry Thompson, “It's also about becoming a better person, learning life's lessons, trying your
best on the field and respecting the game, yourself, and your own teammates at all times.”

The formal letter of understanding signed by AVYSL and PCA calls for a series of PCA workshops for coaches, parents and leaders in AVYSL soccer programs.  The workshops for coaches of Comp and Select teams are scheduled to begin on April 7.  Workshops for the parents of the Comp and Select are scheduled for April 28. Recreational teams are scheduled to receive their training in August and September of 2004.

Stuart Roberts, AVYSL boardmember and coach, wants the PCA program to be seen as a positive step to prevent certain issues that occur in other youth sports organizations. The workshops are designed to give coaches and parents the tools necessary to fully support the AVYSL players.

“AVYSL has recognized that 90 percent of volunteer coaches don't receive comprehensive training, and we're providing this training through PCA, which is free of charge,” says Roberts, “We acknowledge that these coaches are giving their personal time to do this job, and we want to give them the tools they need.”

Positive Coaching Alliance was formed in 1998 to transform youth sports so that all young athletes enjoy a positive, character-building experience.   PCA offers workshops nationwide for coaches, parents and youth sports leaders to equip them to positively impact today's young athletes.

Many youth sports leagues across the country have experienced the issues that eventually plague the experience for the children involved. According to the National Association of Sports Officials, 76 percent of referees who quit do so because of confrontations with spectators.

“The tools that these workshops provide are very easy to use once people are exposed to them,” says Roberts. The Santa Cruz Youth Soccer League has implied the PAC workshops, and has seen a 90 percent reduction in red card penalties.

The organization is headquartered at Stanford University and has offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Washington, D.C., Portland, Ore., and Chicago. The institute honored Positive Coaching Alliance and its founder Jim Thompson for International Sport with the "Power of Good" award in June 2002. In October 2002, PCA launched a national membership campaign to unite coaches, parents and youth sports leaders in creating a "social epidemic" of positive coaching. Focused primarily in the Almaden Valley region of San Jose, the AVYSL provides a breadth of youth soccer programs for girls and boys.  The mission of the league is to foster healthful recreation and responsible social interaction through the sport of soccer, and to provide a framework in which participants can experience the rewards and sacrifices, which accompany group activities, and to learn the discipline of good sportsmanship. The league also supports the training and certification of coaches and referees.  AVYSL is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the California Youth Soccer Association.

The AVYSL has about 2,100 players and 170 teams. The PCA will affect approximately 350 coaches in the Almaden Valley. Also affected will be the parents involved. The AVYSL will be asking two parents from each team to be what they call a “culture keeper.”

“These parents will be there to observe, and to remind anyone that may be stepping out of line that the AVYSL has adopted a certain culture, and it does not involve yelling at coaches or referees,” says Roberts.

“We like to use the term ‘inoculation.' We are inoculating ourselves from getting this virus that has been spreading to youth sports programs throughout the country. We want to instill in our athletes that we play by the rules, no matter what the other team is doing. It is very easy to catch on to bad habits of other teams and we're trying to prevent that by teaching respect for the individual, coach, referee and the league,” says Roberts, “The parents, coaches and players can use these tools for many years to come.”

Players of the Week

Alvar Briceno , #10
Sport: Pioneer soccer
Class: Senior

Briceno is a fourth-year varsity player and a strong asset to the Pioneer soccer team. He finished regular season as the Blossom Valley Athletic League's third leading scorer, with nine goals. This week alone, Briceno has scored three goals and had one assist, giving him five assists for the season. His goal against Valley Christian 10 minutes before regulation time ended, gave his team the chance to persevere in double overtime and double sudden death.

“He's always up before games, he's our go-to guy in our big games,” says Pioneer Head Coach Jeff Farro. “He's one that we can all count on to produce, even when he has three or four guys on him.”

Jackie George
Sport: Leland basketball forward
Class: Junior

Leland's Jackie George has been a pillar of stability on both ends of the court for the MHAL champion Chargers this year.

This week, the 6-1 junior, who is currently being courted by several Div. I college basketball programs, scored 20 points versus Santa Teresa and 15 against Piedmont Hills as the Chargers secured the league championship.

Sports Schedules


Leland High School

Thursday 2/26/04

Boys varsity baseball vs. Independence 3:30

Boys JV baseball @ Independence 3:30

Varsity golf vs. Westmont 3pm
Girls swimming @ Valley Christian 3:30 (JV & V)

Saturday 2/28/04
Girls soccer-CCS finals @ Valley Christian - SJ

Varsity baseball Wilcox Tourney @ Valley Christian (Time TBA)

JV baseball vs. Live Oak 11am

Monday 3/1

JV golf vs. Leigh @ Rancho Pueblo 3pm

Tuesday 3/2/04

JV baseball vs. Santa Cruz 3:30

Varsity baseball Wilcox Tourney TBA

Boys lacrosse vs. Menlo 3, 4:30 (V, JV)

Boys tennis vs. Lynbrook 3:15

Pioneer's Nick Esposito graduates in the top half of his (160-pound) class
In CCS wrestling, the struggle is the story for Pioneer, Leland

By Karl Laucher
Staff Writer

Just like any pyramid scheme where few prosper while the majority settle for the measured euphoria of having participated, the Central Coast Section wrestling championships were bittersweet for the combatants from Pioneer and Leland high schools.

Only Pioneer's 160-pound entry Nick Esposito reached the final day—the round of 16—in the two-day tournament held at Independence High School last weekend.

Esposito, a senior who had been battling a rib-cartilage injury most of the season, was again a picture of pain as he crouched by the scorekeepers' table after being eliminated on a first-period pin executed by two-time Monterey Bay League champion Travis Edwards of Monterey High School..

For the low-ebb wrestling scene in the Almaden Valley, Esposito's positing of two wins and two losses in the CCS tournament was a rather heroic performance. His Mustang teammates, Jeff Terry at 215 pounds and Armando Apolinar at 275, won one of three each at CCS as did Leland's Jeremiah Harvey at 191 pounds.

With the CCS wrestling championships representing more than 100 schools from 11 conferences in one tournament, finishing in the top half of a 32-player draw is indeed an honor. Pioneer Coach Mike Medlock credited Esposito for “showing the true determination of a champion,” but noted “a rib injury is a hard thing to overcome in wrestling.” Esposito's CCS tourney wins came against Jake Guibor of Branham, 7-4, and Chris Woolworth of Greenfield, by pin, both in the consolation bracket.

Esposito finished his season with a record of 16 wins, eight losses, seven wins via pin, and three losses with shoulders to the mat. His best tournament showing was a runner-up spot on the podium in the Livermore Tournament in December. He was the Blossom Valley Athletic League junior varsity champion at 140 pounds as a sophomore. He said it is unlikely he will continue wrestling next season at San Jose State University next season where he intends to study law enforcement beginning in the fall.

While a consolation-round pin over Joey Alvarez of Alvarez High School in 191-pound action was a feather in the headgear for Leland's undersized Harvey, the Chargers had little else to smile about. The two other Leland wrestlers who qualified for CCS were unable to compete, Greg Edwards because of an ankle injury and Kris Pinula because of academic ineligibility.

With the CCS wrestling like a seven-ring circus with seven competitions plied simultaneously for most of day one and half of day two, nearly 850 matches were staged in about 14 hours. That Pioneer was able to claim but four wins and Leland one necessitates a call to arms for some mighty warriors in Almaden Valley. The Mustangs placed 54th and the Chargers 65th among the 73 schools that qualified wrestlers for CCS. Leland Co-Coach Val Esquivel says the Chargers need to work harder to recruit athletes, particularly those who gained wrestling experience at Bret Hart Middle School. Pioneer Head Coach Mike Medlock said he is will start a freestyle wrestling club this year and also is considering initiating a wrestling program at John Muir Middle School.

The top three finishers at CCS qualify for the state championships set for March 5-6 in Bakersfield. CCS team champion Gilroy High School will lead the pack south with seven qualifiers including three individual champions. The Blossom Valley Athletic League champion Oak Grove Eagles will send CCS 135-pound gold medalist Tommy Machedo. For Almaden Valley, the state championships currently look further away than Mars.

Sports Brief

Leland and Pioneer share MHAL girls' soccer crown

Due to a misinterpretation of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mount Hamilton Division bylaws, there was an error printed in the Almaden Times Weekly Feb. 13-Feb. 19 issue. The Leland High School girls soccer team did not, in fact, win the MHAL title outright. They tied with Pioneer High School, who, at 8-2-2, had the same record as Leland. Therefore, despite Leland winning the tiebreaker, having beaten Pioneer during league play, the schools share the title. The tiebreaker is effective for CCS seeding purposes only.

Leland fights to the end in boys basketball season
High hopes for returners next year

The Leland High School boys basketball team capped a rough season last week losing on the road at Prospect High School and Willow Glen High School. Leland finished 6-19, 3-11, but carries high hopes into next season. The Chargers have seven players returning next year including two-year starter James Kogura, third leading scorer Dannie Hamouie, and leading scorer David Farsai. Farsai, pictured above, shooting for two against Willow Glen is a prime candidate for the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Santa Teresa Division, Sophomore of the Year Award. The guard averaged 12.3 points and nearly two steals per game in 2003-2004.

Lady Chargers capture MHAL title, open tonight with Los Gatos in CCS playoffs

By Justin Petersen

It's official. Leland High School has the best girls basketball team in the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mount Hamilton Division.

After weathering a brutal 12-game schedule, battling nightly [arguably] the seven toughest public school teams in the valley, Leland has secured the MHAL championship, posting an 11-1 record, their only loss coming against Del Mar High School before the season's mid point.

And the rest of the MHAL probably wishes Del Mar threw that one. Since then, Leland has gone on an eight-game terror, racking up 442 points to their opponents' 302.

“I'm very proud of the girls,” said Leland Coach Wade Nakamura. “We finished strong and there were no letdowns at the end.”

Two victories last week, a 53-35 win at Santa Teresa High School and a 52-36 triumph at home versus Piedmont Hills High School, secured the championship.

So far, the relatively young Leland team [only two seniors on the roster] has benefited from the leadership of returners Liz Widgren and Jackie George.

“Our older players remembered last year when we lost the game, and ultimately the league championship, to Santa Teresa at the end of the season,” said Nakamura. “[Widgren and George] informed the younger girls and made sure we didn't have any letdowns this year.”

George played especially well down the stretch, and, according to Nakamura, averaged nearly 20 points over the last eight games.

On Feb. 22 the CCS held its annual playoff-seeding meeting. Leland was rewarded for their successful regular season and named the fourth seed in the Div. II playoff bracket.

As a result, Leland will host 13th seed Los Gatos High School Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

“Los Gatos is a good team,” said Nakamura. “The seeds don't matter much in the playoffs. It's all about the personnel. That's why you see so many upsets in big tournaments. Sometimes teams build great records in their own league, but just can't match up in the playoffs. Fortunately, we match up well [with Los Gatos].”

While Leland sprints into the playoffs filled with confidence, boasting an eight-game win streak, Los Gatos, on the other hand, stumbled in having dropped seven straight to their opponents in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League, De Anza Division.

“We're not taking them for granted,” said Nakamura. “They've lost seven straight, but they were all to very good teams. They play extremely hard. They have a good coach, and, at this point, everyone is fighting for their season not to end.”

Pioneer opens CCS basketball playoffs with double feature tonight (2/26) at home
Boys draw Willow Glen, girls to play St. Francis

By Justin Petersen

The regular season is over, but the basketball teams at Pioneer High School are just getting warmed up. For the girls, a phenomenal 12-0 run in Blossom Valley Athletic League, Santa Teresa Division, play warranted a fifth seed in the CCS Div. III playoff bracket. The boys, on the other hand, playing up in the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mount Hamilton Division, finished in second place at 9-3, but have secured the second seed in the CCS Div. III boys bracket. Can you say ‘CCS championship contenders?'

Pioneer girls

The Pioneer girls open the playoffs, playing right before the boys, at 6p.m. versus St. Francis High School.

The Lancers, who finished seventh in the West Catholic Athletic League, hammered Los Altos High School 69-35 on Feb. 24, moving on to the second round where they'll face Pioneer.

“The WCAL is a tough league,” said Pioneer Coach Blain Hashimoto. “Hopefully we have the team we want show up.”

Despite sweeping the STAL, the Mustangs have displayed a Dr. Jeckyl-Mr. Hyde persona this season, sometimes displaying talent and teamwork, and other times playing beneath that talent. Pioneer hopes to reach the peak of their powers during the playoffs.

Last week, seniors Gina Biviano and Brenae Perkins collaborated with junior Camille Brown to lead the Mustangs to their 12th victory in league, beating Gunderson High School 54-42 at Pioneer on Senior Night.

The Grizzlies, who also made the playoffs, couldn't compete with Pioneer's quickness.

“We hope our quickness helps us out versus St. Francis, too” said Hashimoto.

Versus Gunderson Perkins led all scorers with 14 points. Biviano added 13 points and five rebounds, while Brown scored 10 points.

Pioneer boys

The Pioneer boys open the playoffs versus Willow Glen High School tonight at 8 p.m.

“They're a good team,” said Pioneer Coach Joe Berticevich of his foe. “They shoot the three and they play together well.”

The game is a revival of an old rivalry.

“We used to play them every year in the Santa Teresa Athletic League,” said Berticevich. “They'll be pumped up to play us at our place, but our goal is to win CCS. We're not looking past them. It's do or die now. Everybody's ready to play.”

Pioneer enters the playoffs coming off a grueling MHAL schedule that sent four teams to the playoffs.

Last week, in the Mustangs' final preparation before the postseason, they lost to Leigh High School 52-61. The game was closer than the score indicates.

“We were tied with two minutes to go,” explained Berticevich.

Unfortunately, Pioneer lost two turnovers in the final minutes, ultimately costing them the game, settling the score in Leigh's eyes, who had fallen to the Mustangs in the final second of a game earlier this year.

“Home court plays a big factor in that league (MHAL),” said Berticevich. “Every night you can count on a bunch of people coming out for the game.”

As the number-two seed in their playoff bracket, Pioneer has that same advantage against Willow Glen.

Pioneer senior Ceylon Elgin-Taylor led all scorers with 32 points versus Leigh.

Leland girls soccer team advances to CCS semifinals

By Miranda Schultz
Sports Editor

The season isn't over for Leland's girls soccer team. Their 1-0 victory over Leigh High School in the CCS quarterfinals on Saturday leaves them facing a great opportunity, one they haven't had a shot at in six years.

In the past, the Lady Chargers have reached the semifinals, only to be knocked out by teams such as Live Oak, and Santa Teresa, which will be the two teams battling in the lower bracket of the semifinals on Thursday. At the same time, Leland will be up against Aptos High School hoping to beat the odds and compete in the finals for the first time in six seasons.

Leland played Aptos, second in CCS rankings this year (one above No. 3 Leland), and lost early in the season. Since then, Head Coach John Vasquez assures that it will be a much closer matchup, “I don't expect that we're the better team, but I do expect that we're a better team than when we played them our third game of the season,” he says.

Leland's quarterfinal victory over Leigh on Saturday isn't considered to be their best display of ability. “We didn't play our best, but we played good enough to win. We are usually a second-half team, but we also usually come out on fire, which we didn't do against Leigh,” says Vasquez.

The game remained scoreless until the 56 th minute, when Leland sophomore Stephanie Kato headed a cross by senior Megan Finney.

“We had five or six good chances to score, but I'm thankful we scored enough to win,” says Vasquez.

The Chargers expect Aptos to be quick and aggressive. “The teams that are ranked ahead of us are ranked there for a reason; we just have to stay focused and concentrate on our game. I'm not letting the girls slack off because they beat Leigh,” says Vasquez, “We're working on the things we did wrong, and trying to improve our game so we can keep winning.”

If Leland does keep winning, they will face the winner of Live Oak and Santa Teresa in the finals on Feb. 28. Vasquez hopes to play Live Oak, where his brother has been the head coach for three years, “I know Live Oak pretty well,” says Vasquez with a laugh, “But we're really focused on taking one game at a time, we get there when we get there.”

Leland boys soccer team suffers season-ending loss

By Miranda Schultz
Sports Editor

The Leland boys soccer team's match against Gilroy on Saturday ended in a 4-2 loss, marking the end of the season for the Chargers.  Hopes of making the finals were cut short by Gilroy's aggressive goal scoring and a couple of Charger mistakes. 

Head Coach Dave Gold says, "You don't give a team like Gilroy a three-goal start.  We made some mistakes that were crucial." 

After the first half, it looked gloomy for the Chargers, who were down by three goals.  Gold told the boys at halftime, "We're going to get it tied at 3-3, and we're going to win in overtime."  And the plan looked promising after Leland's Steven Beltashour scored on a penalty kick in the 60th minute and Patrick Davoudi followed with a 15-yard goal, making it a 3-2 game.  But Gilroy's Javier Hernandez crushed Leland's comeback attempt with his second goal of the game in the 69th minute, one minute after Davoudi's goal.  Which secured a two-goal lead as well as Gilroy's advancement to the semi-finals with a record of 20-0-5.

"We came out on fire in the second half.  I thought at 3-2 we were going to make it," said Gold. "After the game I told the boys that we should walk off the field with our heads held high.  We gave it our best, and unfortunately, our best just wasn't good enough.  I think Gilroy is a great team and they deserve to be undefeated." In 26 games, the Chargers only suffered four defeats. 

Though they may have had hopes for a better finish, Gold is looking forward to next year.  The Chargers will lose 12 seniors, five who are starters.  Even so, they will have a strong foundation from which to build. 

"We have the ability to be an excellent team next year.  We will probably have to work a little harder, but we have a great program here," says Gold of the freshman/sophomore team, which has lost about four games in three years, "That's the beautiful thing about Leland's program, I can plan my lineup two or three years in advance.  I'm already looking forward to next season."

Leland finished the season with a record of 15-4-6 and the Blossom Valley Athletic League title for the fifth consecutive year. 

Pioneer girls soccer team keeps pride, says goodbye to season

By Miranda Schultz
Sports Editor

Even though their season was over after their 0-1 losses to Archbishop Mitty in the CCS quarterfinals, the Pioneer girls soccer team walked off the field with their pride intact.

“They did not give up,” says Head Coach Lisa Smith, “I was extremely impressed that they were able to play with a team of such a high caliber.”

The game remained scoreless until there were 20 minutes left in the game. At halftime, Smith says the girls walked off of the field proud. “They were excited and proud of what they had accomplished in the first 40 minutes. They were determined to see the game through no matter what. Everyone pushed for the second half. I really feel the girls did the best they could and gave 110 percent,” said Smith.

Smith also adds, “It was a loss, but it was still a victory. My girls showed how hard-working, dedicated and passionate they have been throughout the season.”

The Lady Mustangs impressed more than just themselves this season after coming up to the Mt. Hamilton Division from the Santa Teresa Division last year. Jeff Farro, Pioneer boys soccer Head Coach, said, “They had an excellent year. We kind of thought they would struggle, and they really proved themselves this season.”

Smith will only lose one non-starter next year. The Pioneer program shows a promising future after their breakthrough season.

“I don't want to take anything away from Mitty because they're a good team and we hope they do well,” says Smith, “But that goal really shocked us. It's like the wind took the ball. Our keeper did the best she could, but it was just so strange how it happened.”

The Mustangs end their season with a record of 10-7-2, and co-champion BVAL title with Leland High School. It isn't just beginner's luck, according to Smith, “We're growing into a really strong soccer program, this season was just the beginning.”

Pioneer boys soccer goes to the wire

By Miranda Schultz
Sports Editor

The Pioneer boys soccer team's victory over Valley Christian on Saturday wasn't come by easily. Two 10-minute overtimes, followed with two five-minute instant-win overtimes, and finally, a nailbiting penalty kick shootout.

The Mustangs came out triumphant, but only after giving Head Coach Jeff Farro one of the most memorable games he's ever seen.

“I've never seen it go out the way it did; it came down to the wire, we were going kick for kick,” says Farro.

A 1-1 tie at the beginning of the first overtime, both teams scored and took the 2-2 tie through another overtime and two 5-minute instant-win overtimes. Then both teams went head to head in the penalty kick shootout. Pioneer scored on their first kick. Valley Christian mimicked the goal and kept the game tied at 1-1; each team's keeper saved both of the second shots; both teams scored on the third kick; and both kickers missed the fourth. Finally, Pioneer found a corner that Valley Christian couldn't, and won the game by a penalty kick, winning the shootout and winning the game 3-2.

“I think the boys were really glad to get back at Valley Christian, who beat us 5-0 early in the season. That was the loss that pretty much lit a fire in us and put us on our six-game winning streak, giving us momentum that we still haven't lost,” says Farro.

Last year, Pioneer finished second to last in the league and didn't even qualify for the CCS tournament. This year, they received a sixth place ranking for the CCS tournament and have succeeded a record of 13-6-3 so far this season.

The Mustangs faced Burlingame, second place in the CCS rankings, on Feb. 25 for their shot at the finals, basically going into the game blindly, having not faced Burlingame this season.

Even so, Farro feels that the match against Valley Christian on Saturday gave the boys the confidence they needed, “Now they know they can accomplish anything as long as they stay focused and relaxed. I'm so proud of how they handled the Valley Christian game. I think that now they're confident that they can handle anything.”

Farro expects a tough game on Wednesday, “I know they're going to have a very organized defense. We have to focus on our game, and push our game onto them by creating our chances and taking them, that's how we win,” he says.