Norcal Semi-Final Archbishop Mitty VS Bishop O’Dowd

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Soccer is such a mysterious game. This game is evidence of just that. For three quarters of the game Archbishop Mitty were in complete control. Two goals from their Senior forward Tvesa Vathulya had the Monarchs up 2-0 and cruising to the final. This young Bishop O'Dowd Dragons was looking tired and beaten. Mitty's back 3 of [player_tooltip player_id='83851' first='Angie' last='Cao'], [player_tooltip player_id='281634' first='Ayla' last='Briski']and [player_tooltip player_id='111097' first='Chloe' last='Miller'] were dominant in and out of possession as they were shutting down Bishop O'Dowd's attack all game. CCS Player of The Year [player_tooltip player_id='19981' first='Murphy' last='Walsh'] and Maya Yamagishi were controlling the tempo winning every 50-50 ball and imposing their will on the Dragons. It didn't look like there was any chance for the Dragons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 8 minutes to go in the game Striker [player_tooltip player_id='111260' first='Abby' last='Forsgren'] decided she wanted to play a little more soccer. The Junior came alive as she got on the end of a great [player_tooltip player_id='268395' first='Paloma' last='John-Baptiste'] through ball to make it 2-1. She took her breakaway exceptionally well putting the ball right into the bottom left corner of the goal. All of a sudden Bishop O'Dowd had life. With 1 minute left in Forsgren got on the end of a Kiana Lee- Olson corner inside the 6 yard box to make it 2-2. Everyone in the stadium was absolutely stunned. How could this game possibly be going into overtime with the Monarchs looking so in control all game? Freshmen Defender [player_tooltip player_id='268387' first='Ana' last='Pintard'] had a lot to do with it. Her defending was absolutely heroic and her distribution was class. She stood toe to toe with her older more experienced opposition and battled until the very last kick of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In overtime both teams had some chances but nothing significant enough to decide the game so on to penalties we went. Mitty missed their first penalty and it looked like a historical and improbable come back was about to be accomplished. Unfortunately for the Dragons it did not come to fruition. O'Dowd had a chance to win it with the 5th and final kick of the shootout and the ball was blasted over the bar. So into sudden death we went. All in all 7 penalties were taken by each team and Archbishop Mitty came out on top in the end. Dodging what would have been a monumental collapse. You have to give this young Dragon's team credit. After going to 1 seed Del Oro and beating them on penalties. With less then 48 hours to recover, going on the road again to face a bigger, stronger, more experience and star-studded Mitty side and taking them to very brink of elimination. They should be very proud of what they have done this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final is set and these two teams know each other quite well. Just as I predicted at the beginning of this tournament #2 seed St Francis beat Amador Valley 2-0 in the other Semi-Final setting up a CCS Championship rematch on Saturday night at Saint Francis. These are the two best teams in Northern California and they have proved it all season. Both teams are absolutely loaded with talent. With many players on both sides already committed to top schools with the underclassmen contributors surely following soon. I am going to maintain my prediction from the beginning of the tournament and say the Mitty pulls off the upset to win Norcal and avenge their CCS Championship loss to St Francis a week a go. Get your popcorn ready this is going to be a good one! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->