![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Varsity boys soccer clinches NorCal quarterfinals in penalty kicks
Darshan Chahal (12) attempts to head the ball over a Galt player during the boys’ NorCal Division III quarterfinal win yesterday. After ending regulation tied at 1-1 and a scoreless overtime period, the boys won 5-4 in penalty kicks.
March 4, 2020
The varsity boys soccer team won their NorCal Division III quarterfinal matchup against the Galt High Warriors in penalty kicks 5-4 after ending regulation 1-1 and going scoreless in overtime.
With goals from Andrew Cheplyansky (12), Arthur Kajiyama (10), Ishaan Mantripragada (10), Jeffrey Fung (12) and Justin Fung (10), and two saves from goalie Laszlo Bollyky (10) in penalty kicks, the fourth-seeded Eagles advanced to the semifinal round against first-seed Ygnacio Valley.
After taking a 1-0 lead before the half with a goal from Andrew off an out-of-bounds throw-in from Ryan Tobin (11), the Eagles allowed the Warriors to score for the first time in the final minute of regulation to take the matchup to overtime tied at 1-1.
“I think we started off strong, we had a goal pretty early in the game. Unfortunately, at the end, we gave up a goal but we made sure not to be discouraged. We just kept playing our game and we were able to win it in penalties,” Darshan Chahal (12) said.
A chaotic game that saw the Warriors coach earn a red card and several yellows on both sides of the ball ended with a scoreless overtime, and the Eagles advanced to a penalty shootout for the third time in the last three games. Their previous two matchups, the semifinal and final of the Division III CCS championships, both ended in favor of Harker 3-1 in penalty kicks.
“Its been pretty crazy, its definitely been intense every game. We’ve all been nervous every time, but we keep winning [the penalty kicks], so it’s good,” Darshan said.
The Eagles will now face the formidable Ygnacio Valley Warriors, who are seeded first in the Divison III bracket and 14-5-3 on the season, on Thursday in Concord.
Additional reporting by Alysa Suleiman and Kathy Fang.
CIF Northern California Regional 2020 Boys’ Soccer Championships Division III
