CCS Division 2 Runner-Up wins season opener—CIF NorCal

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Week 1 High School soccer competition: Menlo School gets the shutout over Lincoln 2-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The temperature around game time was a cool 54 degrees during a sunny 12:00 pm match.&nbsp; The winter soccer season just kicked off in Northern California, and a public high school and a private school met for a non-conference tournament match.&nbsp; It was Menlo's season opener and Lincoln's 2nd match of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Menlo School Knights in Atherton, CA, are the runners-up to the 2025 Central Coast Section (CCS) Division II boys championship.&nbsp; They had an overall 16-4-3 record last season, while going 12-1-1 in league play for the 1st place finish in the West Bay League.&nbsp; They had an amazing run and lost in an exciting penalty shootout to Hillsdale High School in the final.&nbsp; They looked when facing off with another A-Division team, and I believe they are looking to do one better this time around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln High School came in 3rd last season, while going 7-5-2 in league competition and finishing with a 9-8-4 overall record.&nbsp; They competed in the BVAL—Mt. Hamilton League (A-Division).&nbsp; This team has quality players, but they struggled to put points on the board.&nbsp; It was not necessarily due to the lack of quality opportunities but more so to the shot-stopping plays by the Menlo goalkeeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Menlo's senior goalkeeper, Dylan O'Malley, got the clean sheet as he and his defensive line kept Lincoln from getting quality shots on goal.&nbsp; The back three seemed like a well-oiled machine, with players knowing where each person was positioned, even when the opposition made overlapping runs into the box.&nbsp; The communication was also clear, concise, and direct.&nbsp; The Lions did have a few opportunities to cash in, but O'Malley was in the right spots to make the shot-stopping saves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game Highlights - Tied 0-0 at the Half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1997410284168740904?s=20","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/1997410284168740904?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Menlo School standouts:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dylan O'Malley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Declan Sitter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed Sunwoo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blake Putanec</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryder Shaw</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #1 - Dylan O'Malley - 2026 - Goalkeeper</strong></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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Dylan O'Malley","_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":"null","_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":"Menlo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-693a69dbd8389"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dylan O'Malley got the clean sheet as he and his defensive line kept Lincoln from getting quality shots on goal.&nbsp; The back three seemed like a well oiled machine with players knowing where each person was positioned, even when the opposition made overlapping runs into the box.&nbsp; His communication was also clear, concise, and direct.&nbsp; The Lions did have a few opportunities to cash in, but O'Malley was in the right spots to make the shot stopping saves.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1999000274028138614?s=20","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/1999000274028138614?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #2 - Declan Sitter - 2026 - Forward</strong></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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Declan Sitter","_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":"null","_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":"Menlo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-693a69dbd8455"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He scored Goal #2 for the Menlo Knights. Declan received the ball in the attacking third, then juked a defender by cutting to his left side before firing a long-range right-footed shot from behind the 18. His clean feint stopped other defenders in their tracks before sending the ball to the far left post. He also provided high pressure and made quality runs on goal. His skill sets are top level, and he's definitely going to get looks from scouts at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998889215380300077?s=20","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/1998889215380300077?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #3 - Reed Sunwoo - 2026 - Mid</strong></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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Reed Sunwoo","_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":"null","_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":"Menlo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-693a69dbd84f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He scored Goal #1 for the Menlo Knights with an almost perfect Corner Kick. The bending kick to the far post was worthy of a bend it like Beckham award. It went just over the top of the goalkeeper and bent back towards the goal hitting the inside post. His Top level serves throughout the match almost added a few more points on the board. This level of skill should definitely get him to the next level. Reed also made quick and precise passes in the attacking third while finding players in open pockets. Very calculative in his corner kick calls and delivery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998887817439793465?s=20","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/1998887817439793465?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #4 - Blake Putanec - 2028 - Forward</strong></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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Blake Putanec","_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":"null","_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":"Menlo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-693a71367139b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blake made some strong runs down the channel while showing a bit of speed and technique in getting past the defense. I liked his quick cuts to shake off defenders and his long ball passes. Once he dials it in, he will be setting up runners going over the top or in overlapping runs. Blake also showed ball control skills when receiving passes with a player on his hip. He was able to bring the ball under control and find an outlet player. He almost got a goal going up top while barely missing a CR7-type header. Looking forward to seeing him play in league competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998894527487291752?s=20","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/1998894527487291752?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Player #5 - Ryder Shaw - 2028 - Winger</strong></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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ryder Shaw","_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":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Menlo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-693a713671451"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He made a few strong runs on the wing while winning most of his challenges. Ryder demonstrated the ability to play as a box-to-box player. His clean tackles and counterattacks into the 18 showed his versatility. Once he got by the defense, it seemed that he automatically went to attack mode, as he almost got an assist or two when sending passes from the corners. If he chooses to take a more direct approach and angle in, he could definitely put some points on the board. I really like his calm and composed demeanor. His ability to stay focused will transcend into success on both ends of the pitch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BayAreaSocScout/status/1998996048283578508?s=20","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/1998996048283578508?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm hoping to see Lincoln get back on track and compete for one of the top three spots in their division.&nbsp; They have too much talent to not be competitive.&nbsp; As for Menlo, they definitely will be making another run at a CCS (Central Coast Section) title.&nbsp; They also have players who should get looks from college scouts.&nbsp; Planning to cover each team during league competition and possibly during the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->