PEBBLE BEACH – Stevenson was jubilant after its 1-0 win over Milpitas on Wednesday to advance to the program’s first-ever Central Coast Section Division V boys title game.
Still, there are things left to finish, like a chance to win a sectional title and extend its season in the CIF Northern California Tournament.
“These kids don’t take anything for granted,” Stevenson coach Toby Elmore said. “We recognize the history of the sport here and Stevenson’s place in it. We will always have to give up. I think these kids feel good.
Co-champions of the Cypress Division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League with a 9-0-3 record, and in the playoffs for the first time since 2012, the Pirates’ overall work during the season earned them the first place. in section V.
“We didn’t expect to be seeded,” Elmore said. “I don’t think we felt any extra pressure. Our mantra throughout the season has been “let’s keep this going as long as possible.” It’s a close-knit team that had so much fun this year.
The Pirates (14-3-5) will enter the title game against King’s Academy – 3-1 overtime winners against division co-champion Cypress North County – having yet to allow a goal in two playoff games .
In fact, Stevenson has only allowed three goals in 12 league appearances this season, having posted three straight shutouts and 15 this season.
“I told the boys Milpitas was a better team,” Elmore said. “Milpitas was big, athletic and fast. But we did what we had to do. We were disciplined defensively, smart and well adjusted at halftime.
Thanks to a free kick goal by Charles Elmore, in which he wrapped the ball around six defenders in the bottom corner of the net in the first 10 minutes of the match, the Pirates scored all the goals they would need.
As he has throughout the season, Stevenson turned to his defense to combat the speed and physicality exhibited by the Trojans, with Zach De Silva and Gabriel Hao anchoring his back unit.
“We were calm in the second half and kept the ball out of the middle of the field and established position,” Elmore said. “Our strength has always been the backline. »
That and goalkeeper Luke Brandler, who was sensational in the crease when called upon, finishing with five saves, as well as knocking the ball out to midfield on kicks.
“He (Brandler) was very active throughout the game,” Elmore said.
King’s Academy 3, North County 1 OT
Producing two goals in the two 10-minute overtime periods lifted the No. 2 seed Knights to Saturday’s Division V title game against Stevenson.
King’s Academy (14-3-4) is making its first appearance in the finals since winning the CCS Division III title in 2007. It has outscored two playoff opponents 10-3.
Cypress Division co-champions, the No. 3 seed Condors (12-4-4) defeated El Camino 7-0 to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2012, when they won a school record 20 games.
North County overcame a 1-0 deficit to tie the game in the 68th minute of the match, forcing overtime, where the Knights found the net twice.
Section IV
King City 4, North Salinas 3 PK
As soon as the ball crossed the net, Gerardo Quintina looked for someone to hug.
The man of the moment delivered the biggest kick of the season for the Mustangs, ending a drama-filled match on penalties in sudden-death overtime, sending the 2022 CIF Northern California champions back to the match for the CCS Division IV title.
“The program continues to grow,” King City coach Jaime Cortes said. “It’s just about moving pieces around. It feels good to be back in the final.
The Mustangs will face No. 4 seed Monterey – 5-4 overtime winners against top-seeded Del Mar – on Saturday at a site yet to be determined.
The Mustangs, who opened the preseason 0-5, including a 2-1 loss to North Salinas, won the Mission Division title with a 10-1-4 record over their last 15 games.
“We made some adjustments with formations and positions,” said Cortes, who led King City to a CCS and Northern California title in 2022 but missed the playoffs last year. “Everything just started clicking.”
The No. 2 seed in the Division IV playoffs, the Mustangs used two home games to hold Valley Christian and North Salinas scoreless in regulation.
Unable to generate its offense through regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods, King City scored penalty goals in sudden-death overtimes from Esteban Acosta, Deon Rodriguez and Israel Saldana.
Quintina, who entered the match with just two goals all season, finished the game moments after teammate Jesus Montoya made the second of his two saves in goal, to create a wild celebration.
“Everyone rushed onto the field,” Cortes said.
Montoya did not allow a goal in the playoffs. His two saves during sudden death changed the situation.
“Those saves were huge,” Cortes said. “They were good shots. He just blocked them.
Monterey 5, Del Mar 4 OT
Ethan Bonilla recorded a hat trick and added an assist as the Toreadors cruised to the Division IV final after beating San Jose’s Del Mar in overtime.
Monterey, which is 8-0-1 in its last nine games, will face Mission Division rival King City in the final for the third time this year. In the previous two meetings, the Mustangs won 5-2 and the two teams tied 1-1.
“It will be a good game against them and we will be ready to fight one more time,” Monterey coach Christian Ramos said. “All the credit goes to my boys. They are ready. This will be a fun match to watch.
Bonilla, who shared the team lead with 20 goals, produced three more for the Toreadors, while adding his 10th assist of the season.
Teammate Sekou Matthews, who had also scored 20 goals before the semi-final, had two more and took his assist total to 15, assisting Bonilla on two of his goals. Alexander Celaya added an assist.
Monterey earned a playoff spot after defeating St. Francis 6-0 in a play-in game. The last time it played for a title was in 2019, losing 2-1 to Prospect of San Jose in the Division I final.
Section III
Alvarez 3, Pioneer 0
The Eagles will make their first appearance in the finals since 2015, when they face Christopher — who beat Seaside — on Saturday for the Division III title after shutting out top-seeded Pioneer of San Jose.
Luis Macias had two goals and an assist for Alvarez, who is 11-9-2 overall this season. Jorge Hernández added a goal, while Diego Morales finished with an assist.
Oscar Mendez blocked a penalty and made 10 saves for Alvarez, who is 4-0-1 in his last five games.
