Varsity boys soccer clinches NorCal quarterfinals in penalty kicks

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Alysa Suleiman

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.

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