Arroyo Grande boys soccer shocks top-seeded SLO in double-OT penalty shootout
None of San Luis Obispo High’s seniors had experienced losing to Arroyo Grande High’s boys’ soccer team over the past four years, as the Tigers fielded a powerhouse squad that seemed invincible and posted an undefeated Mountain League record this season.
But the Eagles (14-9-2, 5-5 Mountain League) found a way to upset the Tigers (18-3-2, 10-0) Thursday in SLO in a drama-filled semifinal CIF playoff match, taking down the 18-win SLO team in an overtime shootout.
San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande were among several San Luis Obispo County teams to earn berths in the CIF-Central Section playoffs in boys and girls soccer — and the rivals couldn’t have produced a more thrilling matchup.
After a 2-2 deadlock in double-overtime, Eagles goalkeeper Martin Villagomez lunged to his left to stop Jake Browning’s low penalty kick, and Arroyo Grande won 6-5 on penalty shots.
“We came in as an underdog,” said Villagomez, a sophomore. “Our coach told us if we lose it’s OK because we’re the underdog. We just came with everything. We were working harder than them.”
Arroyo Grande coach credits teams ‘toughness’
Eagles coach Eliseo Romero credited his team’s toughness and unity, saying the penalty shootout was “nerve-racking.”
The Eagles lost senior Tyler Brittingham to a red card early in the second half and played with 10 players much of the game.
“It’s a special group, a lot of heart,” Romero said. “That has been our team this whole season.”
SLO High battled back, however, coming from 2-0 down to tie up the contest with goals from Elvis Mensah and Kellan Barry, who sailed a free kick from just outside the penalty box into the net. Arroyo Grande’s Josh Rojas netted the Eagles’ two goals in regulation.
“We are a senior-heavy squad and rely on experience,” SLO Coach James Boscaro said. “I am most proud of our defense, who keep us in every game. ... Our seniors had never lost to AG, which is an accomplishment in itself. Credit to the other team for battling the whole way. I’m really proud of our kids.”
SLO High entered as top seed in CIF-Central Section
The Tigers entered the playoffs as CIF-Central Section Division 1’s top seed, recording their first undefeated league season in head coach James Boscaro’s seven-year tenure.
Two of SLO High’s players will be moving on to play soccer in college — Moises Hernández (Cal Poly) and Barry (Southern Methodist).
“Moises and Kellan both play in the midfield but also can and do play forward at times,” Boscaro said. “They are both great goal scorers but impact the game in other areas as well.”
Arroyo Grande was set back by injuries this season, Romero said, and was without striker Gopala Sauer, a Cal Poly commit, for most of the season, including Thursday’s match.
“It has been a little difficult because of injuries,” said Romero, in his fourth year. “We haven’t had one single game with all of our players because of injuries. Gopala easily could have been a league MVP, but he hasn’t played a single league game.”
Rojas (outside left wing) and Alan Muñoz (a captain) were among the team leaders on a squad that included six sophomores who saw significant playing time.
“We really turned a corner this year,” Romero said. “Our team has stuck together as a group, like a family, and played based on heart.”
SLO County boys teams’ playoff results
▪ Paso Robles (11-9-3, 3-6-1 Mountain League) won 3-0 on Tuesday to Stockdale, in Division 2 of the Central Section. The Bearcats had scored 45 goals on the season, compared with 34 goals against, leading up to Thursday’s game against Madera South.
▪ Atascadero (10-12-2, 8-4 Mountain League) lost 3-0 on Tuesday to Madera South in Division 2. The team was led by junior Martin Anguiano’s eight goals and six assists on the season, as well as junior Ryan Bianco’s eight goals and one assist, according to maxpreps.com. Senior Wyatt Hasch notched five goals with three assists.
▪ Nipomo (10-10-1, 9-3 Ocean League) lost 3-1 on Tuesday to Roosevelt of Fresno in a first-round CIF Central Section Division 3 playoff. The team scored 41 goals, allowing 31.
▪ Morro Bay (8-11, 7-5 Ocean League) lost 4-0 Tuesday to Highland High of Bakersfield in a Division 3 match. The Pirates scored 38 goals this season with 45 allowed.
▪ Templeton (11-9, 9-3 Ocean League) lost 3-1 Tuesday to Lemoore in Division 3.
SLO County girls soccer teams results
▪ Arroyo Grande’s girls’ soccer team (16-7-2, 8-2 Mountain League) lost Wednesday 3-2 to Redwood High of Visalia in their first round playoff matchup, after getting a nod of support in a Facebook video from former USA soccer star Mia Hamm.
The Eagles were led this season by Jiana Martin with 19 goals and six assists. Cynthia Ramirez logged 12 goals and five assists.
▪ SLO High’s squad finished the year 13-4-4. They lost their first-round match to Edison of Fresno 4-3 in a “heartbreaker to say the least,” said coach Brittney Viboch.
The Tigers had three penalty kicks called against them in a span of less than 10 minutes, Viboch said. Tigers freshman Grace Mensah scored 11 goals on the season, while Raquel Kalpakoff notched 11 with nine assists in the finale, Mensah scored two goals and Chase Kubinski had one, with two assists by Emma Ruzius and one by Raquel Kalpakof.
▪ Templeton (12-7, 9-3 Ocean League) plays its first-round match Friday against Golden West of Visalia.
▪ Nipomo (13-8-2, 7-2 Ocean League) plays San Joaquin Memorial on Friday, led by Helayna Arreola with nine goals.
▪ Mission Prep (2-20, Ocean League 0-9) played Centenniel (Bakersfield) Wednesday and suffered a 4-0 loss.
This story was originally published February 13, 2020 at 10:42 PM.
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