GHS captures first league crown in four seasons.
As if they already knew it was part of their destiny, the final whistle blew and out came the shirts made for the occasion.
Labeled across the chest the blue tokens of the moment read “TCAL Champs” – that they are.
Needing a victory in the Tri-County Athletic League season finale against Salinas on Thursday night, the Gilroy High boys soccer team, much to the delight of head coach Armando Padilla, captured the program’s first league championship in four seasons with a 4-0 triumph over the Cowboys on a rain-soaked turf at GHS.
“We have had some quality, quality players the last two, three, four years,” Padilla said with a smile that seemed to never end. “But this is a group that has stuck together, worked hard and has stayed focused and committed to being better each game. And I think that has been the difference. They play for each other and they have some chemistry that’s special. I’m so happy for these guys.”
The players thanked their coach by dousing him with soda, dumped out of aluminum cans – in absence of the proverbial Gatorade bath – as the celebration carried on well after the conclusion of the contest.
A little soda shower never hurt anyone, especially when you’re already rain drenched.
“It’s definitely a great feeling,” said forward Jorge Sanchez, one of five seniors on the squad. “It’s taken me three years to get here. In the beginning, a lot of people didn’t think this team was championship material. But we have a bunch of players who work together, and that’s what wins championships.”
David Guenther, Kristian Urias, Jose Gabino Ramirez and Abraham Arreaga, along with Sanchez, were honored prior to the start of Thursday’s match, which also doubled as Senior Night.
“This just shows the work that we put in,” Guenther said. “We trust each other. We work hard as a team and produce wins.”
The wins came in bunches when league play kicked in, but a 5-2 victory in the TCAL opener against the league’s three-time defending champion Alisal really propelled the Mustangs into the 12-game league stretch. GHS started the league season 6-0 before the Trojans had their revenge in a 2-0 decision on the Mustangs’ home field. Disappointing at the time, no doubt, but that loss served as a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted. Five straight wins ensued, culminating with Thursday’s clincher.
“Unfortunately we split with Alisal, but we took care of business (after that) and we are TCAL champions,” Padilla said.
Jonathan Diaz De Leon gave the Mustangs (15-3-2, 11-1 TCAL) a 1-0 halftime lead. In the second half the flood gates opened, and through it, three goals, one from Luis Galvan and a pair by Arreaga lifted the Mustangs to the finish.
Diaz De Leon deposited his team-leading 18th goal of the season in the 22nd minute, punctuating a first half dominated by the Mustangs.
All the opportunities that just missed or couldn’t quite connect came to fruition in the second half.
“We came out and played like champions the way we were supposed to,” Arreaga said.
Galvan’s goal in the 43rd minute, although entertaining, came on a bit of a fluke play as the junior defender was looking for Sanchez up top. But his soaring volley from about the 50-yard line took one hop at the front of the box and bounced over the goalie for a 2-0 lead.
Arreaga booted home the first of his two goals in the 68th before the Mustangs rounded out the onslaught with a pretty looking set play. Urias took an initial feed following a corner kick and floated a ball into the area. Sanchez at the far post headed the ball across the goal mouth where Arreaga stood waiting. A simple flick of the head and GHS went up 4-0.
“Everybody has the talent. We just had to put in the work. And we got the results,” Urias said.
With a strong preseason schedule under their belts, not to mention a league title, the Mustangs could receive a top-four seed into the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs, which begin Tuesday. Seeding for the 12-team field will be released over the weekend.
“We all have the same goal, all that matters is that we win as a team,” Ramirez said.
