CA – High-Stakes Match for a Spot in the CCS Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a gorgeous day at the Brady Family Stadium in San Mateo, CA. The crowd was ready for this highly anticipated and pivotal WCAL matchup. The Saint Ignatius Wildcats came in as the 3rd place team against the 2nd place Junipero Serra Padres. Both sides fielded some top-level club players. The results of this game could determine a spot in either the Division 1 or Division 2 bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To make it even more special for the Padres, it was Senior Day, and the soon-to-be graduates did not disappoint the crowd. It was a tough battle, like every other WCAL match, and the players knew the importance of this match from the get-go. It didn't take long before Lucas Faggiolly (2025) opened up the scoring with a heads-up goal as the ball deflected off of the keeper's foot, and he one-touched it in before the defenders could recover. The best part was the buildup, as [player_tooltip player_id='144256' first='Nate' last='Coughlin'] (2025) received the pass at the 40-yard line and quickly ran down the left side and slipped it past the keeper and had the first shot deflect off the keeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coughlin, a San Francisco Elite, ECNL National Selection player and Bucknell commit, scored the second goal for the Padres. It was a beauty as 4 of his teammates started a passing combo from their side of the field before chipping it to him around the 20-yard line. Nate chested the ball forward and let it bounce once before striking it on the hop and directing it past the goalkeeper. He is currently leading the league in goals scored with 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just as I thought the Padres were going to run away with it, the Wildcats got a score from Mikel Gonzalez to get the game within one score. It was a hard-earned goal as his team pressed high to recover the ball and set up a 3-ball passing combo to Gonzalez before he placed it in a small window just outside of the goalkeeper's reach. The score at half was Serra 2 and Saint Ignatius 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half was a bit more intense as each side tried to find holes in the defense. A flurry of shots was taken by both sides, and had it not been for the exceptional shot-stopping skills of goalkeepers Dominic Kamienski (Serra - 2026) and Brady Fitzpatrick (SI - 2028), there could have been 3 more goals added to each side. Luckily, the game ended with the 2-1 score in favor of the Padres. They keep their 2nd place standing, and they are more than likely assured a spot in a Division 1 bracket. As for the Wildcats, they slid down to 4th place and might be headed to a Division 2 bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279741,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dominic Kamienski","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Serra","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Silicon Valley Soccer Academy - MLS Next","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2f97e2c14f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best goalkeepers in the league. He made multiple shot-stopping shots. His positioning and anticipation help decrease scoring angles, and he can soar up high to pull down or knock out high crosses and shots. He has quick reflexes and is very athletic. Made it look easy when making diving saves on low, hard shots. Overall, he is really comfortable in the box, and he is definitely keeping his team in contention. He plays club soccer for Silicon Valley Soccer Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279742,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lucas Faggiolly","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Serra","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Woodside Soccer Club","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2f97e2c1f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He played mainly as a winger but also pushed up high at times. A Johnny-on-the-spot type of player. He was rewarded with a goal that initially was shot by another player and blocked by the keeper. His quick reflexes slide the ball to the back of the net before the defenders could react. He was also active on throw-ins and making quality connecting passes from the touchline. He plays club soccer for Woodside Soccer Club.<br><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279743,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sam Cooper","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Serra","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Woodside Soccer Club","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2f97e2c278"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Plays hard and makes good decisions when making challenges outside of the 18-yard box. He anticipates the diagonal runs and steps into the lanes to cut off runners trying to slip through. He also made some good passing combinations to start counterattacks from the back, but his strength was in disrupting the attack. I like how he got up every time he got knocked down. He plays club soccer for Woodside Soccer Club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279744,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mikel Gonzalez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Saint Ignatius","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"SF Elite Soccer Club","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2f97e2c2f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Got his team's only goal in the closing minutes of the first half. It was a hard-earned goal as his team pressed high to recover the ball and set up a 3-ball passing combo to Gonzalez before he placed it in a small window just outside of the goalkeeper's reach. He also helped his team turn up their attack in the second half by pressing high and playing off of defensive mistakes. He plays club soccer for SF Elite Soccer Club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279745,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brady Fitzpatrick","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Saint Ignatius","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Pacifica United","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2f97e2c37c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He stopped a few close-range shots and pulled down some high ones near the top corners. He covers a wide range and stands tall in the box. One of his best saves was when he was moving in one direction and the shot taken seemed to have been placed away from where he was moving. Brady was able to stop his lateral movement and stop the leading scorer from getting another goal. He played fearlessly and tough for just being a freshman. He plays club soccer for Pacifica United.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":279746,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gianni Alejandre","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"103","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Saint Ignatius","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b2f97e2c3fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Played up high in the striker position. He had a few quality shots on goal, but the goalkeeper's skill level and range prevented him from getting on the board. Gianni provided the high pressure up top which resulted in some recoveries. His presence in the attacking third and mainly in the goal box was felt by the defense. He wasn't afraid to get into the mix. Aside from soccer, Gianni was also a member of the school's football team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1890854609729540546">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1890854609729540546</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1890873961509998771">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1890873961509998771</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1891021042212127228">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1891021042212127228</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1891164183472849302">https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1891164183472849302</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892981725791179019","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1892981725791179019 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->