The boys soccer team crushed the Sequoia Ravens in a blowout game, winning 5-1 during senior night on Friday. Before the match began, the team honored 14 seniors in a brief celebration with their families.
The game started with the Ravens getting the first possession, but they quickly kicked the ball out of bounds. Soon after, senior left back Ayden Wise helped the Bears gain momentum with aggressive play downfield.
Senior defenders Noah de Haaff and Adrian Stadelmann kept possession in intense back-and-forth plays. Despite multiple score attempts, the Ravens’ defense remained strong with their goalkeeper blocking numerous shots by senior midfielder Pablo Martinez, Stadelmann, and senior midfielder Lucas Selvik.
With 7:40 left in the first half, senior striker Nathan Thurlow attempted to score but barely missed the goal. However, with only two minutes left in the first half, the Bears overpowered Sequoia’s defense with a decisive goal from Thurlow, assisted by Wise who passed a well-placed ball from the left wing. The Bears finished the first half with a 1-0 lead.
M-A began the second half with a quick goal, as senior midfielder Manases Lara Alvarez scored directly off the kickoff with a half-field shot. The Bears had a 2-0 lead by the end of the first half.
Soon after, a foul from the Bears gave the Ravens a free kick redemption, earning Sequoia their first goal of the game.
M-A received possession after the kick-off, which Sequoia quickly tried to counter. Senior midfielder Yandel Hernandez rushed the ball downfield, but, was unable to attempt another goal after being called for a foul five minutes into the second half.
Sequoia had a chance to score with 33 minutes left in the second half, but their goal attempt was intercepted by senior defender Franklin Aguilar, keeping M-A in control. Unfazed, the Bears struck back, with Hernandez scoring a goal nine minutes into play, extending their lead 3-1.
The Bears continued to play strong as sophomore goalkeeper Torrey Franz made a fantastic save 18 minutes into the half, shutting down another Sequoia attempt and keeping the Bears firmly in the lead.
Tensions were high, but the Bears continued to push. At 10:50, Thurlow drew Sequoia’s goalkeeper out of position and passed the ball off to Selvik, who scored off of the open goal. The Bears now comfortably led 4-1.
In the last few minutes of the game, senior midfielder Tejin Mehta passed the ball to Thurlow, who faked Sequoia’s goalkeeper and kicked the ball into the goal. The Bears continued to play strong until the final whistle, ending the game with a 5-1 victory.
“This was a great game, it feels great to win on senior night,” Selvik said.
“We have a tough schedule next week, but I’m feeling confident the team can pull through,” Thurlow said.
The Bears will face the Burlingame Panthers away on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
