- East Bay Prep Corner
Boys Soccer: NCS Finals Preview
By Matt Smith
Thursday, February 24th, 2011 at 9:29 pm in Boys soccer.
All season has led up to this.
Division I – at Dublin High, 7:30
No. 2 Newark Memorial (23-3-0) v. No. 8 De La Salle (17-6-3)
This is a rematch of a great semifinal game in 2009 when Newark took what was a nearly unstoppable De La Salle team to overtime. Now Newark is the higher seed, and the team that is on the roll with 23 wins in their last 24 matches.
The Cougars are rolling, and their confidence is very high because of it.
“Right now, our boys are confident and playing hard,” Newark coach Rick Villa said. “I tell them if they come out and play tough, the results will come, and I think our record shows this.”
But that doesn’t mean that Newark is taking De La Salle lightly. In fact, it’s quite the opposite as they know that a team seeking a third straight North Coast Section title will not go down easily.
“Playing DLS is going to be a tremendous challenge,” Villa said. “They are solid from back to front. We are excited to be in this position to test ourselves against the two-time defending champs.”
During their back-to-back title runs, the Spartans have always had one thing in common. Execution, hard work, discipline and most of all, resiliency. This team, which was not expected or predicted to be in this postion, embodies that more than any other team before it.
“I cannot say enough about these boys and their resiliency this year,” De La Salle coach Brian Voltattorni said. “I have been apart of the DLS program since 1997 (as player and coach) and without a doubt this group of boys have been through more adversity both on and off the field than any other team that I have been apart.”
Every team goes through injuries, but this year’s De La Salle squad has had more than anybody could imagine.
Just like everyone, they have been playing with pulled hamstrings and sprained ankles, but beyond that, all three of their captains have been sidelines for extended periods of time, and the team has suffered four broken bones.
Two of them have been suffered by the same player, top scorer Sullivan Tobin. After coming back from a broken nose suffered in a collision with San Ramon Valley’s Dallas Jaye, Tobin broke his collarbone, putting him out for the year. Oh ya, and Michael Bernardi is wearing a cast on his broken wrist.
Voltattorni said it was more injuries than he could ever imagine, yet De La Salle has persevered. Despite starting league play with two losses, and despite facing three EBAL teams in the playoffs, they have marched to the finals.
“They say a true test of a man is how they deal with adversity,” Voltattorni said. “Well I can say that I am more than happy with the young men of this team. They have already proven themselves to me and their teammates for overcoming so much this year. I couldn’t be more pleased as a coach.”
Analysis: Newark has been dominant and has outscored their opponents 13-1 in the playoffs, while De La Salle has battled through by edging out their opponents. However, is their anybody out there doubting the Spartans at this point? This should be a very entertaining match with the organization of the De La Salle defense as well as their execution on set pieces against the fast-paced, high-powered Newark offense.
Division II – at Los Lomas High, 5:00
No. 1 Campolindo (19-1-6) v. No. 2 Acalanes (18-2-6)
When the Campolindo Cougars suffered their first, and only, loss of the season at the hands of the Dons, many people figured these two teams would meet again in the NCS finals. And after splitting their first two matches, and now entering with similar records, it will truly be a rubber match that decides the better team.
For Campolindo to be that team, it will take getting past an Acalanes defense that has not allowed a goal in the playoffs, and has allowed just 11 of them all year.
“The Acalanes defense is extremely compact and organized, and they are the most physical team we’ve seen all season,” Campolindo coach Shane Carney said. “Once you get through their defense, you still have to get the ball past Jackson Foote, which is no easy task. The way to beat their defense is going to be with patience and composure in the offensive build-up. They want us to force and rush our offense under their high pressure and turn the ball over for counterattacks. If we want to beat them, we have to play our game, be patient, and take advantage of the moments when their defense gives us even the slightest opening.”
And those openings don’t come about very often against the Dons, and if anything starts to open up, the staff is quick to make adjustments that usually work.
We have key components of defense in our program. If the boys continue to execute on those they will obtain the result they have worked for,” Acalanes coach Paul Curtis said. “Tactics is a part of all higher level matches, I’m confident that both teams will have a tactical strategy they are hoping to execute well.”
Carney understands that tactics are part of the game, but doesn’t expect either team to make major changes to a system that is working well.
“I don’t think there will be too many tactical changes either way,” Carney said. “I think both Paul and I are confident in our styles and think we can win with what we’ve been putting on the field all season. There will obviously be small changes here and there, but I don’t expect to see any major changes.”
What you can expect is for Acalanes to play lock down defense for much of the night, and strike at opportune times while Campolindo will look to push the action a bit more, but also will be play air tight in the back.
Analysis: These two teams will look very similar to fans who haven’t seen them yet. They both play hard, and play the game the right way. Aggressively, but without being dirty. Campo plays a bit more fast paced and open on offense, while Acalanes style will be a little more defensive, but they are pretty similar nonetheless. They are also very familiar with one another, so a tweak or change here and there could be the difference.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
February 24th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
Coach Voltattorni, wow that’s a lot of injuries and adversity, if you haven’t already won two NCS titles and don’t recruit and bring about new kinds of pressure. Otherwise, it would be nice if you at least brought about some respect for Newark somewhere in those quotes. You know, like Ladoceur did for Cal in their EBAL football matchup. And like Villa just did here.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Its okay Matt, your vacation is coming soon. You’ve done a great job this season and are respected by many. You make high school soccer fun and enjoyable. Thanks alot for all the work you have done. We all appreciate it.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Thank you, Matt Smith For President. And I hope to see you commenting for seasons to come.
And in defense of coach Voltattorni, I am sure if I asked him a question about Newark, he would have nothing but respect, but the quotes have more to do with the questions I asked each coach. Just wanted to let that be known.
February 24th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
I love you Matt Smith!
February 24th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
You think Acalanes plays agressively WITHOUT playing dirty??? Well, that is interesting…
February 25th, 2011 at 12:00 am
Matt
I think I speak for most when stating that you’re not racist and do the best job for Contra Costa Times in reporting a High School sport. Most of us will disagree with many things said on this blog by many of us. A the end of the day this is all about these young men and the memories of HS Soccer careers.
February 25th, 2011 at 12:39 am
Theanonymous – Why do you feel the need to spew your anti-DLS views every chance you get? Of course you have the right to voice your opinion, but why go out of the way to disrespect a solid program? People say that the DLS fans and bloggers take away from what these boys have accomplished this year, but so do all the haters out there who feel the need villainize the school at every turn.
“There is greatness trapped in every one of us. We are all born with the potential to be great and to contribute something special to the world. There is no one born without a purpose and no one without a destiny to fulfil. But the hard fact is that only a handful of people ever get to learn what this purpose or destiny is. Only a handful of those that learn their purpose endeavour to fulfil it and of those that attempt to fulfil it only a few succeed. Those that achieve greatness in the sense of fulfilling their destiny are a therefore a minority.”
DLS encompasses and maximizes the potential of every young man on and off the field. There is no secret recipe, there is no conspiracy, just a solid foundation that is laid out from the first day of freshman year all the way to the last day of senior year. They come in as boys and leave as men, as brothers, and as one team. The simple methods that DLS executes year in and year out CAN be done by anybody, or any school. However, it seems as though other teams shy away from the “brotherhood” concept, which is the very thing that hold the team together in rough times. Every team has injuries, every team has setbacks, but what defines these teams is how they respond the situation. DLS has the unparalleled ability to rise to the occasion on command, hence the success of the soccer team the last couple years. You can have all the talent in the world from all over the bay area on one team, but without the right tools, attitude, and teamwork that team will go nowhere. *I would just like to point out that if kids from the same area go to school together they should, by that same theory be more familiar with each other, and therefore BETTER than a school that has players from “all over.” High school season is short, with very little time for kids to adjust to the new styles placed around them. All the people who say that its “unfair” to public schools, just think about that, considering DLS has about 1200 students from “all over”, if 90% of the kids in the San Ramon, or Danville, or Pleasanton district play in San Ramon, Danville, Pleasanton and GO to San Ramon,Danville, or Pleasanton high schools, THEY should be the ones with with the better chemistry, the better teamwork, and the better results. HOWEVER, it is impossible to deny that despite all this DLS has a “winning formula” thats nothing short of hard work and dedication. To think that people out there feel like DLS has an unfair advantage, check yourself, its the other schools that “should” be winning. Concord isn’t amazing when it comes to club soccer compared to teams like Ballistic, Mustang Academy, or the Livermore area, and DLS doesn’t have the best players from all those clubs. It’s not an All-Star team, it’s not an All-Star school, it’s a “how bad do you want it” and a “how hard are you willing to work for it” kind of school. Those who don’t understand try and find reasons to explain success, but all they come up with are excuses as to why they didn’t get what they wanted. Those who get it, as much as they may hate losing, respect it, or at least acknowledge it, and move on. But don’t act like there is such an injustice in the world if a school “that recruits” gets the 8th seed, and still makes it back to the championship, its obviously not the reason they win. It’s not the content of the individuals but the character of the team that carries them, this far (this applies to any team).
- Don’t fear success, just because its hard to understand.
- Don’t fear the Spartans because of who they are, fear the Spartans because of WHAT they are. ONE TEAM, ONE UNIT, ONE GOAL.
DLS 1 – NM 0 in the final, set piece goal
February 25th, 2011 at 7:17 am
Dear THEanonymous -
Poor Poor Poor. NM is a great team and I expect them to win, but attacking the DLS coach? Stick to what you may know about NM.
Matt- I had to dissappear for a while but love keeping up on this post. I have one tiny request. Can you get your counter to do something like this post with the girls side please.
Always fun.
EBRef
February 25th, 2011 at 7:36 am
The campo- acalanes game Is going to be one of the bestgames I’ve ever seen! The two teams have worked so hard to get here and they both deserve the win.. I think campo will take it because they have the mentality that no one else can beat them. They do not panic.. They play beautiful soccer and they will score an early goal in my prediction and that will be the only goal in a campo victory! 1-0
Matt- well done this year the coaches, players, and fans love reading your blogs and hearing what you have to put down! I can’t wait to see you out there at howpfully both games. Good luck to the players and coaches!
February 25th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Matt,
I agree with your analysis, its going to be a great championship game. A high powered offense (NM) against a battle tested defense (DLS). At this point the crown is up for grabs so it will be anyones match.
NM better watch out for set pieces, if DLS scores first NM could be in trouble, as DLS plays like the Italiens, tough defense and kill time better than anyone. I prefer to see no score in the first half so the game stays completely open. Good luck to both teams!
February 25th, 2011 at 8:07 am
As a NM fan, i spoke to one of the NM players(#22) and asked him “what’s there to watch for in DLS?” he told me”We have to watch out for set pieces, they’re dangerous! Also NOT let them score first!”
February 25th, 2011 at 8:30 am
I love you too buddy!! Lol.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:53 am
To #1..Can we please have a thread where you don’t talk about DLS recruiting? Bottom line is that there are 4 games with teams full of kids who have worked hard to get to championship Saturday. Let’s not minimize their achievements by talking about anything outside of soccer! Best of luck to all of the schools girls and boys..Hopefully all the games are entertaining and injury free
100
February 25th, 2011 at 10:15 am
#7 ThatGuy – VERY WELL WRITTEN! Thank you..
February 25th, 2011 at 10:25 am
In my opinion Acalanes and Campolindo teams are very different! Acalanes has many tall players, the team is very physical and organized, plays conservatively, does not mind not having the ball, and when does get it, tries to play in a simple, fast, direct manner. Campolindo players are smaller, but very mobile. The team loves the ball, builds up patiently, many times in an intricate way with 10-15 passes in a row. It could easily be a stalemate, because Campo will be careful not to expose themselves much, especially after the Albany game, when in the first half the line of defense was very high up the field and Alex Mangels had to deal 3 times 1v1 with the coming attackers.
February 25th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Alright – just to throw a little twist since there is no blog on Girls Finals.
Girls D1 Final will be the 3rd time Carandolet and SRV meet this season as well as Semi Finals from Last year. This D1 Girls Final will make for another exciting match followed by the Boys D1 Finals.
I assume that Las Lomas HS was not able to accomodate the Girls D2 final for earlier schedule. Committee should have also picked a Neutral Site for girls D2 Final….
February 25th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
#1 You said it…The DLS Coaches are doing what they need to do..adjust the game or do you want them to roll over and play dead. Get over the DLS hate speech.
#13 THANK YOU
February 25th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Scratch….DLS does Not…Recruit..Scratch…DLS..scratch..does not recruit…scratch…DLS..Scratch …Does Not Recruit.
THEY TAKE WHAT THEY HAVE AND JUST WORK HARD.
GO SPARTANS
February 25th, 2011 at 1:55 pm
ThatGuy….sorry…also well said. Thank you
February 25th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Svilen-
Acalanes will be te careful ones since they are a more defensive based team. Loom at the scores.. They are all less then 1 goal! Campo has more offense with a very solid bak line! Campo just needs to finish their chances and they will win
February 25th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
CAMPO!!!!!
February 25th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Newark is 23-0-0 this year when they score a goal.
February 25th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
#16
Good point the girls game should be very exciting,
and I hear this is the SRV girls 6th consecutive NCS final!!
and they have won all of them except last year, wow now thats a dynasty, and all from the same area- no recruiting…LOL
February 25th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
gotta be the sisterhood!
February 25th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
it can’t be…. a public school dominating? there MUST be some sort of advantage at play to explain all that winning.
February 25th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
They Recruit….Just Kidding. Simple.. Talent and some very hard work, passion and some dedicated coaches.
Newark and De La Salle will be a great game.
February 25th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Matt,
Do you know what is the longest consecutive Boys NCS winning streak for soccer?
Is DLS potentially hitting it with 3 if they win?
February 25th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Yep, it’ll be the first three-peat for NCS boys.
February 25th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
2 is the longest win streak: Irvington, AV, MV, DLS and Miramonte (D2) have all done it. Miramonte won 3 in 4 years and 4 in 6 years.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
SRV dominates for the same reason Carondolet does. Tons of DIV. one Mustang players, (and a smattering of Pleasanton and San Ramon). Make no mistake, if your daughter starts out with one of these clubs early, and they ALL do, by the time you get to be a senior in high school, you’ve been honed.
Same goes for boys.
Truth be told, at the u17-19 level, div. 1 club is better soccer than high school. In high school, you have to take what you get (even DLS)but many of the club teams have been together since the u-9 level,and there is a chemistry on the better teams that SHOWS.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Matt, good to see your counterpart is doing a section for the girls. They are just as dedicated.
February 25th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Besides Recruiting does anybody know what the mystery elixir that DLS drinks just before they enter the field?
Or is this stuff what legends are made of.
February 25th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Hmmmmmm….
EBref-I did not attack the DLS coach, I just wished he wouldn’t be so cocky. You can figure that out if you carefully examine the words I said.
Scoreboard-I didn’t minimize achievements and I only made two posts in soccer blogs asking for more respect for the public schools.
Shinguard-some people just don’t like DLS and want to take a position on them. You can do so too but it’s arrogant how you say “get over the DLS hate speech.”
Thanks to Junior, BamBam, and Storm for subsidizing my position.
ThatGuy-your post is a little condescending. At first you take a position on DLS in which you argue they really earned their success, then you state that it is true through all these biased opinions and you consider a significant portion of them facts. I’m not saying your wrong, I just believe it, and whether or not you are actually wrong about the fact that a championship run “can be done by anybody,” the lord only knows. The reason I’m so anti-DLS is because I’ve seen so many of my friends come short of victories against them they arguably deserved more, and I’ve known that the private school factor may have played a role, causing things to not work out the way they were supposed to, which I believe is CAL’s philosophy for athletics. It’s 2011 and Cal has still not won an NCS title in a very long time, and possibly not at all if 1995 baseball doesn’t have me mistaken. Still, sixteen years is a very long time and I figured we were definitely due for a title in soccer the last and this year, and football this year. I heard those guys talkin’, and they have a point. They’re over the losses, but that doesnt eliminate the necessity of asking people to do what may be the right thing in the future of moving DLS away from EBAL.hat’s my position, that’s why I made all those controversial DLS posts. And I bet the brotherhood, the so-called “winning equation,” and the “how bad are you willing to work for it, how bad do you want it” is why
you take DLS’s side. The necessity of this post is eliminating the condescension of your
post which biases the forum towards the DLS side.
I don’t have a prediction for Saturday, it’s a toss-up.
February 25th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Here’s all-DFAL
All-DFAL
MVPs
Alex Mangels (Campolindo), Sr.; Jaison Kimura (Camp), Sr.
Offensive Player of the Year
Fardeen Shaiwany (Dougherty Valley), Jr.
Co-Defensive Players of the Year
Jacob Carroll (Acalanes), Jr.; Jackson Foote (Aca), Jr.
First Team
Dylan Autran (Aca), Jr.; Cam Carda (Aca), Sr.; Nick Pereira (Aca), Sr.; Zack Walton (Alhambra), Sr.; Tyler Slyvia (Alh), Jr.; Collin Hartland (Dublin), Jr.; Oliver Castillo (Dub), Jr.; Phil Osgood (Las Lomas), Sr.; Bryce Bochenek (Dougherty Valley), Sr.; Marco Tavecchio (Camp), Sr.; Matt Reshke (Camp), Sr.; Tim Coleman (Camp), Sr.; Nick Bachu (Miramonte), Jr.
Second Team
Austen Grassini (Aca), Jr.; Dan Glascock (Aca), So.; Dave Helfrich (Aca), Sr.; Juan Sanchez (Alh), Fr.; Matt Brensel (LL), Sr.; Scott Stark (DV), Jr.; Nick Palano (Camp), Jr.; Sam Palano (Camp), Jr.; Kian Maghsoodnia (Camp), So.; Theodore Deutz (Mira), Jr.; Brandon Krumback (Dub), Sr.; Gustavo Rivera (Dub), Sr.; Zach Laranang (Dub).
Honorable mention
Adian Chow-Danel (Aca), Sr.; Max Omick (Aca), Sr.; Steve Glascock (Aca), Sr.; Jesus Maldonado (Alh), Fr.; Osiel Mendoza (Alh), So.; Josue Vega (Alh), Sr.; Kevin Merhoff (LL), Sr.; Trenton Matson (LL), Fr.; Steve Muraoka (LL) So.; Harlan Raine (Camp), Jr.; Rodrigo Diaz-Valdes (Camp), So.; Cristian Antezana (Camp), Fr.; Nick Parisi (DV), Jr.; Anoop Gala (DV) So.; Abhi Singh (DV), Sr.; Jose Gutierrez (Mira), So.; Arya Haghighi (Mira), So.; Taro Kyllonen (Mira), Jr.; Ryan Grossman (Dub), Jeff Dyer (Dub), Matt Digirolamo (Dub).
February 25th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
When does all-EBAL come out?
February 25th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
I know it is not your fault Matt, but just a note: the two Dublin players who made First Team are juniors.
February 25th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
Excellent. Thank you Vela, for pointing that out.
I should have noticed that. Thanks again.
February 26th, 2011 at 8:07 am
Since the conversation has taken on a more club-oriented approach lately, it might be fascinating to take a look at the high school teams and see how many Academy, Division 1, and Gold level players are on each team.
If DLS so clearly recruits, as some have suggested, shouldn’t they have far more top-tier club players than any other team?
February 26th, 2011 at 8:47 am
Thanks THEanonymous. Much more clear today. I am not a DLS fan, fact is I think NM will win the match tonight 3-1. NM just has to much everything as they completly killed CVHS. DLS are playing above their heads and won’t be able to counter the NM attack. NM are to fast and with their excelent ball control should dominate this game.
Also Acalanes goes away with a 1-0 nail biter. Campo is a great side but Acalanes has size and will foul when and where it is safe and contain Campo. I do agree with all who say the Campo coach getting COY as he has turned the team into something special.
Let the games begin!! Should be a fun night.
Matt great stuff on the blog sad to see this season close out.
EBRef
February 26th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Matt do you know the BVAL all-league?
February 26th, 2011 at 11:46 am
Hey Matt, any info for EBAL awards??
February 26th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
EBAL is after NCS. All League anyhow.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Haven’t got any other leagues yet. I promise to get the other all-league stuff up as soon as I get them.
February 26th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Matt do you know the HAAl all- league?
February 26th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Not yet. I’ll post it as soon as I do.
February 26th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Campo gets an early goal. 1-0.
February 26th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Acalanes responds. 1-1.
February 26th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Matt: keep the updates coming. Go campo, go NM!!
February 26th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Acalanes goal just before half. 2-1.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Girls score?
February 26th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
0-0 girls in Dublin, 30 left.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Campo PK. 2-2. Acalanes is down to 10 men.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Girls go to OT in Dublin. Golden goal OT.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
Matt where you sitting? This Campo side is crazy!
February 26th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
In the press box man! What a game.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Campo scores with three minutes left. 3-2.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
DLS girls win on golden goal. Congrats.
February 26th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Wow!! What drama!
February 26th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Campo wins NCS 3-2. Turning point when Campo, off a corner kick, heads the ball on goal and an Acalanes player intentionally keeps the ball out of the net with his hand. The ensuing red card and converted PK tied the score 2-2. The final 30 minutes of the game saw Campo take complete advantage of play with wave after wave of offensive chances.
Finally, with 3 minutes to go Campo headed a goal on a corner kick and soon thereafter the celebration began.
Campo has now won 2 of the last 4 NCS championships and likely soilidified Shane Carney as Coach of the year.
February 26th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Any update on the D1 Finals?
February 26th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Re: post #57 – DLS girls??
February 26th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Meaning carondelet. They practically are the girl version school of DLS. Any updates on D1 final matt?
February 26th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Where is are live eye in the Dublin sky?
February 26th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
DLS scores on set play. DLS 1-0
February 26th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
I figured he meant that, but I’ve just never heard them referred to as the DLS girls. Is the Sisterhood as strong and passionate as the Brotherhood?
February 26th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Word from twitter is DLS up 1-0. Not confirmed tho.
February 26th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
1-0 DLS at half.
February 26th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
1-0 DLS at half is confirmed. Or should I say Carondelet boys?
February 26th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Still 1-0. About 25 left.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Go BOYS! Any update?
February 26th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Any snow flurries?
February 26th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Just got back from a great entertaining game – Campolindo – Acalanes. For 3 years at Lamorinda and then at JV Campo I have had the privilege to coach 11 of the boys almost perfectly split 6:5 between both teams, so even though I was rooting for Campo, I wanted each one of them to perform well. It was a special game for me!
Without much caution, Campo took the game to Acalanes and in the 4th minute a free kick from the left by Jason Kimura was met by Timmy Coleman with a header – 1:0;
Campo was flowing but it was Acalanes who scored – a floating ball to the far post was headed towards the 6 yard box where a Acalanes player was alone in front of the goalkeeper. The ref did not flag an offside and there were no protests on the field so either the header was by a Campo player, or somebody was keeping the forward on side.
From this moment Acalanes took control and had a pretty good possession, pushing the action into Campo’s half. The Cougars relied on long balls behind the defense and has 2 near misses, but Acalanes was the aggressor and it paid when they scored from a corner kick in the 25th minute. Inexplicable whole opened in the center of the defense where a forward had time to cushion the ball to the ground and shot high into the net from point blank.
Second half started with a Campo push and a series of free kicks by Jason Kimura. One of them was a missile towards the top right corner, which Foote acrobatically saved by managing to palm towards the crossbar and out. The resulting corner met Harlan Raine header and the ball was goalbound, but Cameron Carda on the line instinctively pulled a Luis Suarez – a regrettable, but forced red card followed and Jason Kimura equalized from the penalty spot.
What followed was a complete Campo dominance for 30 min. But as if the script required the utmost drama, the winning goal came only 3 minutes before the end – another header from a corner kick, again by Harlan Raine.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
Still 1-0 about two minutes plus stoppage left.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
2-0 DLS. Almost final.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Newark very overrated. Congrats to DLS. Newark had no threats at all. DLS too much.
POY-If its anyone from DLS it should be someone from their back line, they are excellent back there.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
Coach of the Year
We went to De La Salle early in the season to scout Monte Vista, DLS looked terrible, looked like it was going to be a down year, with goalie problems and much more. After hearing about the injuries, red card before the playoffs, seeing them gut it out,and take the title, I know where my coach of the year vote would be.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Way to play, boys! Way to coach, coaches!
February 26th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Congrats to DLS and campo!!
February 26th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I have to be honest this game was not a great game at all..the intensity level wasn’t there at all..it was really sloppy most of the time..most of the pre-season and league games were far better but congrats to DLS.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Dls sucks
February 26th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
Newark was a class act at the end of the game with DLS players. Newark a bit over rated but earned their spot in Championship. Hat’s off to players and coaches at Newark. DLS played a well coached game…Defense was tight. POY Anthony DeCosta..as a capt, as a senior and who scored the 1st goal of the game. Coaches of the Year..the DLS staff did a top notch job on keeping the team focused for each game of NCS.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:29 pm
Never fear Underdog is here. Or is it ” Never Fear the Spartans are Here.” What a season. To fight and improve through the last part of the season and to pull-of a 3rd NCS championship. Newark was out played but were true sportsman till the end.
February 27th, 2011 at 12:21 am
I have to say that i didnt expect Newarks offense to play like this. Very disappointing. But congratulations to DLS.
February 27th, 2011 at 6:55 am
Congratulations, De La Salle. They certainly overcame a tremendous amount of adversity- they deserve this victory. Facing challenge after challenge throughout a year can either tear a team apart or pull it together. This title run says a lot about their coaches and their senior leadership.
February 27th, 2011 at 7:18 am
For the people who went to the campo game… How bout them fans!!! The campo side was on fire! So much energy and I think that did help the boys pull off a great win!!
February 27th, 2011 at 8:13 am
The Campo, Acalanes game was great! Did anybody notice the really fabulous series in the second half, where a Campo boy was fouled right in front of the Campo stands,then played the ball while lying down only to have a virtually identical move by Acalanes occur immediatly after? The referee( Yader Reyes,a USSF national), wisely allowed play to continue and the fans were treated to very exciting soccer.
Most refs would have blown the whistle for WHATEVER in that case.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:30 am
Just wanted to say congrats to campo for a great game -you guys were the better team last night. Even tho we didn’t win, I thought our team played our hearts out – we had some plays, some mistakes and in the end we just couldn’t make it happen. It’s always fun playing the guys from campo – I’ve played with some of them since LYMA kindergarten soccer – which seems so long ago.
Parents (dad are you listening?) – just let it go … I have … club starts up again with tournaments and state cup at the end of this month … so there’s no use dwelling …
The Dons will definitely come back next year even stronger and hopefully will go all the way, especially for Coach Curtis, who’s been a great coach all season.
Peace.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:50 am
Spartan supporters
We often hear from you regarding our complaints of an even playing field in football. If your school could show us the quality of coaching and brotherhood under the conditions the DLS soccer team over came, we would fade into the sunset. This is what some of us have been lobbying for from the NCS office and DLS proved they can win with equal athletes in soccer unfortunately their deep talented football program is around the corner. Congratulations to all the student athletes on the DLS soccer team and all the EBAL athletes of high school soccer. We all knew NM would just be another team to face on our EBAL schedule. This years NCS soccer brackets say it loud and clear for all to see and hear.
February 27th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Congratulations to DLS!! Coaching staff pushed all the right buttons and the players played hard every minute of every game!
Final thoughts:
The final proved what everyone was stating about the NCS committee. They are lazy and/or thoughtless. Case and point. DLS played Granada, Cal and Livermore to get to the final (are you kidding me??!!) They earned it!! (congrats again!) The Newark game was their easiest game!! (Come on!) I agree with what some have said that the Championship game was the Cal game or even the Livermore game (although Livermore never scored). DLS’s toughest game was Cal and they were on the ropes and pulled it off. Newark’s bracket and League not as challenging and it showed in the final. The EBAL’s 4th place team beats the other leagues first place team. Great run for DLS.
All the rumors about recruiting mean nothing. So what. if you want to win NCS Div 1 you have to earn it and you must go through the EBAL and DLS.
EBAL is still the dominate league and DLS is their King right now. Div 1 Final was a dissappointment this year. Nice job NCS committee!…..(not!!!!!) The other problem is I bet none of them are reading this blog because they do not give a rip. That is the biggest problem!!
Matt, great job!!! Thank you!!!
February 27th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Hats off to DLS players and coaching staff. What a year for the Spartans. Congradulations to the CHS Cougers what a game they played vs SRV.
NM keep your heads high and learn from this game, you can only get better.
Fun season all around and thanks fellow bloggers.
EBRef
February 27th, 2011 at 10:31 am
Hey Benchwarmer, don’t forget Granada High had DeLaSalle down 1-0 and 2-1 with about 10 minutes to play. DLS ties it up and wins it on a golden goal in overtime. Destiny baby. Congratulations to DLS. The highly vaunted offense of Newark looked totally ordinary against the superb defense of DLS. Newark took about 3 or 4 shots from 25 yards out that the DLS goalie gobbled up without spilling the beans for a rebound. The finals MVP should be the entire defense of DLS. They never gave Newark a chance to get any chances from closer than 20-25 yards. The 2 goals DLS scored, the first off of a picture perfect service into the box by Johnny (Spartan) Marcinkowski that paid immediate dividends, rattles around and then buried. The second, a fast counter attack with a spectacular finish into the side netting from about 15 yards out, with less than 5 minutes to play sealed the 3 peat for the Spartans. I’m sorry DLS nation I don’t know all of the boys names but each player was outstanding. The best team clearly won this game. Newark was frustrated from the get go.
February 27th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Please don’t make Cal look so bad Bench Warmer. They, in my opinion, deserved the title as much as DLS at least, but got very unfortunate in the end. I’ve also heard rumors that time had ran off the clock at many times it was not supposed to (injuries). For all we know, that could have biased the outcome.
As far as the NCS committee is concerned, they face a lot of adversity that it doesn’t seem to me like you know enough about to make the “lazy and/or thoughtless” call. Plus you have no evidence for “the rumors about recruiting mean nothing.” Maybe you’ll learn a little from the basketball blogs.
DLS is a very well-bonded team indeed, but I personally believe the championship game deserved to be Cal vs Livermore. Then again, I believe you were right that Newark was their easiest opponent and that DLS made a great run, and what LHS Alum said about “Newark being frustrated from the get go.” However, I hope the truths will foreshadow what’s going to happen in 2012.
February 27th, 2011 at 11:45 am
THEanonymous, not sure how you saw I made Cal look bad?? That was a great game that Cal should have won but went home unfortunately?? The recruiting is a mute point if it happens at all. it is what it is whether it happens or not. Clearly, you need to read what i said over again. And yes the NCS committee are lazy and thoughtless as many other bloggers have agreed. But the beauty is it is our opinion and the tragedy is that it does little to nothing to improve the situation.
Yes, the Granada game was great also! Thanks for helping my point!
February 28th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
DLS certainly plays hard out from the first whistle to the last,that is certainly what got them to the final.Still think the NCS final could have been much more interesting with either DLS,facing Livermore or Cal or. Cal vs Livermore.Livermore certainly had a strong team this year for how young they are and should have a great season next year.Congrats to DLS well deserved.
Matt have you posted the EBAL All league?
February 28th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Gonna post it on the most recent thread in just a little bit. Just got it today.