Varsity Boys’ Soccer Defeated but CIF QualifiedVarsity Boys’ Soccer Defeated but CIF Qualified

JOHNNY HUYNH

Staff Writer

It was the final game of the season on Feb. 11, as the Alhambra team stepped onto Montebello’s field with confidence and optimism.

The competitiveness was evident, as the Oilers seemed to be closer to the penalty box. For almost half of the game, the Moors were preventing the Oilers from scoring. Except, they had a more successful result and defeated the Moors.

However, that doesn’t mean that Alhambra wasn’t close to gaining points. In fact, there were a few close encounters, close enough for the opposing goalkeeper to knock his head against a post to prevent a shot.

“We’ve had it there,” said goalkeeper Luis Renteria. “We just need[ed] that extra stride [so that we] could have been closer to getting those goals.”

The result was a loss of 0-2 for Alhambra, but the Moors were still in a good frame of mind; not thinking of it as a loss, but as an opportunity to be in something they enjoy.

“[The injuries were] just part of the game,” said mid-fielder Cesar Ortiz. “We’ve gone to extremes, which tells how badly we wanted to win. Overall, it has been a good learning experience.”

As much potential as the team had, there was more that could have been done.

“I think the team had taken a step backwards, compared to last year. They didn’t come ready to play […] and we were playing really inconsistent soccer,” said Head Coach Netza Bravo.

The Alhambra team stands in fourth place in the Almont League and received a wildcard position in the CIF playoffs against Tustin. Unfortunately, the Moors had lost that game as well, ending this year’s season with a score of 0-4.