Harker High School edges Cristo Rey SJ Jesuit in non-league match

Week 1 soccer competition for CIF - NorCal teams   USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription   The temperature around game time was a cool 48 degrees for a 6:00 pm match.  The winter soccer season just kicked off in Northern California, and two private school teams met for a tournament match.    Harker High School is well known for having state rankings of 4 in Best High Schools for STEM, 11 in Best Private K-12 Schools, and 19 in Best College Prep Private High Schools.  Also known for having top academics, high student academic achievements, and quality teachers.  This team also had some really good soccer players who showed the skill sets and abilities to play at the collegiate level.    Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit is known for its unique model of a mandatory four-year Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) combined with a college-preparatory curriculum.  Mainly serving students from underserved communities.  They also had players with the potential to play at the next level.   Game Highlights - Part 1   <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/1995723202723561599?s=20 </div></figure>   Although these teams are not your typical powerhouses, they played a competitive match and the difference between them was merely one goal.  Harker controlled possession for most of the match, but the defensive back and goalkeeper, both with the name Camila kept the Eagles to only one score.   Game Highlights - Part 2   <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/1995971290990346329?s=20 </div></figure>   Wave after wave, the Harker offense pressed, but Camila Ramos, the sophomore goalkeeper, stood strong on her line and never backed down.  She made at least 5 key stops.  Great positioning, anticipation, timing, and cutting off running lanes were where she shined.  This game could have easily gotten away, but her ability to make critical saves kept her team within reach.  Camila was calm, cool, and collected.  She was definitely her team's MVP.     Camila stood strong on her line and never backed down. She made at least 5 key stops. Great positioning, anticipation, timing, and cutting off running lanes were where she shined. This game could have easily gotten away, but her ability to make critical saves kept her team within reach. Camila was calm, cool, and collected. I really liked how she kept her composure, even when her team was down a player for the last 28 minutes of the match. She was definitely her team's MVP.    <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/1995968205605798124?s=20 </div></figure>   Camila Bustos, the senior captain and center back, was also a key part of the defense.  She kept her defensive line in check by making the Eagles attack from the channels while plugging the middle with players covering high-percentage attacking zones.  Eventually a few runs did make it through the center, but luckily the goalkeeper was there to cut them off.  Bustos is one of a few players on the squad to play as a 4-year starter.    Camila was a key part of the defense. She kept her defensive line in check by making the Eagles attack from the channels while plugging the middle with players covering high-percentage attacking zones. She made clean tackles in the defensive third and stepped into attacking lanes when runners made diagonal runs to the box. Eventually a few runs did make it through the center, but luckily the goalkeeper was there to cut them off. Bustos is one of a few players on the squad to play as a 4-year starter.    Eventually the Eagles did get the go-ahead goal. Eva Cheng, the senior midfielder, scored the winning goal at the 26th minute mark of the 2nd half. She received the ball outside of the 18 after it was deflected off a defender. Bringing the ball under control was her first priority, then sent a solid left-footed shot past the goalkeeper, who was attempting to get back into position. Eva looked up to see where the opening was and delivered a well-placed shot. She was also great with and without the ball. Her precise passes and quick runs up and down the channels were where she was the most effective.    Eva scored the winning goal at the 26th minute mark of the 2nd half. She received the ball outside of the 18 after it was deflected off a defender. Bringing the ball under control was her first priority, then she sent a solid left-footed shot past the goalkeeper, who was attempting to get back into position. Eva looked up to see where the opening was and delivered a well-placed shot. She was also great with and without the ball. Her precise passes and quick runs up and down the channels were where she was the most effective.    <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/1995964314335998293?s=20 </div></figure>   Other players who stood out from Harker were [player_tooltip player_id='112191' first='Kaitlyn' last='Nelson'] and Aanya Sharma. Kaitlyn is a junior midfielder. She was good at finding open pockets. Her smooth distributions got players into attacking lanes and quick runs in the channel. I really liked her cutbacks and calm demeanor. Kaitlyn played a box-to-box role as she covered both ends of the pitch. Her fitness level was very high as she also hovered from side line to side line. She definitely shows signs of playing competitive club soccer.    She was good at finding open pockets. Her smooth distributions got players into attacking lanes and quick runs in the channel. I really liked her cutbacks and calm demeanor. Kaitlyn played a box-to-box role as she covered both ends of the pitch. Her fitness level was very high as she also hovered from side line to side line. She definitely shows signs of playing competitive club soccer.    Aanya made strong runs on the wings and showed some quickness in the open field. She was also good at finding open spaces, and she made some quality angled runs to the box and dished the ball off to players in higher percentage shooting lanes. Her strengths were quick and precise passing and strong communication. I really liked how she started her attack from the wings and angled in to the top of the 18. Her high pressure also helped to wear down the defense. Aanya is definitely a player with club-level experience.    Aanya made strong runs on the wings and showed some quickness in the open field. She was also good at finding open spaces, and she made some quality angled runs to the box and dished the ball off to players in higher percentage shooting lanes. Her strengths were quick and precise passing and strong communication. I really liked how she started her attack from the wings and angled in to the top of the 18. Her high pressure also helped to wear down the defense. Aanya is definitely a player with club-level experience.    Although the ball possession was mainly controlled by the Eagles, the Lions did not fold, even after playing a player down for the last 28 minutes.  They played tough and never gave up on each other.  Their commitment to sticking together is what was admirable and inspiring.  Wishing both teams the best of luck in season play, and I hope to see them in their respective playoffs.

Week 1 soccer competition for CIF - NorCal teams