Piedmont, University facing off in both NCS DIV Finals

Had the Piedmont and University-San Francisco High girls and boys soccer teams been the top two seeds in their respective brackets, then it may not have been so novel that both North Coast Section Division IV finals.   However, neither bracket went chalk, and in fact on the boys side the eighth-seeded Highlanders made the finals against No. 2 University. The girls side almost went chalk with University being the top seed and Piedmont being No. 3.   GIRLS   The Red Devils topped Marin Catholic in the semifinals, going up early and then after an MC equalizer, dominated the second half on their way to a 2-1 win.   Piedmont beat Urban, the No. 2 seed, resoundingly with a 3-0 win and will provide a handful for University. The Highlanders stay organized and are very solid all-around. University will need to play a clean match.   "We need to defend as a team so we don't give up a ton of clean opportunities," University coach Chance Daniel said. "We usually create enough opportunities to score eventually."   For Piedmont, it's about remaining together as a team and using their depth.   "We are a hard-working unified team," Piedmont coach Dan Chubbock said. "We have players who believe in themselves and the attacking system of play we have adopted. We have very good players and depth in the squad. Our midfield three ([player_tooltip player_id='32894' first='Audrey' last='Lam'], Cameron Lorin and Louisa Symkowick) control the game, every game."   Here are some other players that could play very key roles.   Ellie DeVan, Piedmont, Senior, Midfielder   DeVan is an underrated player that does not get the credit that she deserves. She is pure composure on the ball, and she has speed and the ability to beat players. She can deliver pinpoint crosses, and she is an extremely intelligent problem solver on the field.   Cece Erhart, University, Junior, Central Defender   Erhart is a well-rounded defender, who is very long and athletic player. She reads danger well and is strong enough to keep attacking players out of the box.   Emily Fitzgerald, Piedmont, Senior, Forward   Fitzgerald is a very strong, and a very skillful player. She scores goals in the big games. She has a rifle shot, and is extremely confident on the ball. She has improved so much between her junior and senior seasons in her decision making while in possession and when she presses when not in possession.   [player_tooltip player_id='54240' first='Hanae' last='Kambara-Coughlin'], University, Sophomore, Central Defender   Paring with Erhart gives University two very tall, athletic and fast defenders. She is versatile as she can also play the No. 6, and even go up top. She's very good in possession, she is a ball-winner, and she's a very good 1v1 defender.   Cameron Lorin, Piedmont, Senior, Midfielder   Lorin is extremely talented, and she has an aggressive edge to her game. She plays at an intense level. She's extremely creative, which she showed in the semifinal win over Urban, scoring the team's second goal.   Sammy Monks, University, Sophomore, Outside Defender   Monks is a very good 1v1 defender and is one of the fastest sprinters that University High has ever seen. When she gets involved in transition, attacking players who are tracking back have a hard time tracking her.   Isabella Ong, University, Junior, Forward   Ong is a very crafty and creative attacking player. She can play all over the front line, from the No. 10 spot, to out wide to even being a striker if needed. She is really hard for defenders to deal with because of her combination of creativeness, speed and toughness.   BOYS   The Highlanders have made quite the march to the final, coming into the NCS playoffs as the No. 8 seed. That meant upsetting top-seeded Cardinal Newman in the quarterfinals. A win over Healdsburg put them in the final, as Piedmont has not allowed a goal yet in the playoffs.   "We are defensively solid which has given us a platform to go and beat teams ranked higher," Piedmont coach Todd Sullivan said. "(University) will be hard to break down. They have pace and strength at the forward positions. We know they have a number of quality players in the attacking areas."   University has also not allowed a goal in the playoffs, keeping clean sheets against Berean Christian, Mt. Diablo and Lick-Wilmerding. What is impressive about the Red Devils in these playoffs, and for most of the season, really, is that they have been the walking wounded. But they have banded together to make it a memorable season.   "We've had guys fill in for injured players and play their best soccer of the season," University coach Deejae Johnson said. "Piedmont has a lot of experience and is a well-battled and mature team. We'll need our backs to be brave and clean."   There are a handful of players that could determine the outcome of this one.   Enzo Bernales, Piedmont, Sophomore, Central Midfielder   Bernales is a gifted midfielder who is very technically sound. He is a catalyst for the Highlanders and he is also important in that he is the set-piece taker.   Dan Malecki, Piedmont, Senior, Keeper   Malecki is calmness personified. He's very cool and collected and does not get flustered. He's very good with his feet and has not allowed a goal in the playoffs.   TJ O'Neil, Piedmont, Senior, Central Midfielder   O'Neil has been the engine for Piedmont all season long. What he does well is wins back the ball and he can help transition the team into the attack very quickly.   Alex Robb, University, Senior, Keeper   Robb brings leadership and experience between the posts and because of that has not conceded a goal in these playoffs. He is a vocal keeper, he's aggressive when coming out for balls and closing down angles.

Had the Piedmont and University-San Francisco High girls and boys soccer teams been the top two seeds in their respective brackets, then it may not have been so novel that both North Coast Section Division IV finals.