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Some like it hot, and some like it cold. And after Berkeley High’s 12-6 loss to league rival Davis in the scorching heat on Wednesday afternoon, it was painfully obvious which team had what preference. 

Having edged Davis by a goal in the two schools’ previous meeting at Berkeley High, the Yellowjackets knew their opponents would be pumped for the rematch. And after Davis mounted a quick offensive surge in the first half, it became clear that it was the team better conditioned for the heat. 

“We got shocked from the heat,” BHS coach Lia Farley said. “(We) were a little rusty, skill-wise, and even more so, fitness-wise. It was a lot hotter than it’s been. People on our team don’t usually beg for substitutes.” 

The Berkeley High defense, despite missing several key players due to illness, had a stronger evening than the inflated final score suggested. According to Farley, the defensive breakdown was more a result of sluggish play by the midfield, which suffered on the transition game and was out-hustled for the majority of loose balls. 

“There was a lot of potential for turnovers in the midfield, and people weren’t hurrying toward ground balls,” the BHS coach said. “In the second half, we started rallying a bit, but the midfield was still having problems, not giving the effort they needed to (in order) to win.” 

“We weren’t having very good transitions,” agreed Berkeley High attacker Jamie Lee, the team’s leading scorer. “We’d defend, create a turnover, and then couldn’t work it to the offense.” 

Lee tallied two of the Yellowjackets’ six goals, while Naomi Coffman led the way with a hat trick. Dani Ganes, the final weapon on Berkeley’s three-pronged offensive attack, also pitched in a score. According to Lee, the six-goal deficit was due to Davis’ more enthusiastic approach to the game, and not a huge jump in skill from the first 2000 meeting.  

“We beat them last time, so they really wanted to win,” she said. “They weren’t necessarily improved, they just really wanted to win. They ran hard to every ground ball. 

“A lot of (our) people let the weather affect their game.” 

The league loss puts added pressure on the ’Jackets to win their final game of the 2000 season, this Saturday at Acalanes. Currently residing in fourth place, Berkeley is likely to qualify for the postseason if it can get by Acalanes, but may risk losing its berth with a defeat. With a possible playoff spot at stake, Farley expects her squad to approach the showdown with a guttier attitude than it showed vs. Davis.  

“People were pretty upset about (the loss),” the coach said. “We had a long talk after the game (about Saturday), and hopefully words will translate into actions.” 

“We need to approach (Acalanes) with a lot of intensity. It’s up to each person to decide if they want to win,” Lee added. “I think (the Davis defeat) will motivate a lot of people.” 

If Berkeley High makes the playoffs, it would likely be looking at a first-round matchup with either Monte Vista or St. Ignatius – both of which swept the ’Jackets over two games in the 2000 regular season. Both schools have developed strong rivalries with Berkeley over the past few season, and according to the BHS coach and players, will make for challenging first-round opponents.  

“We’d prefer to play Monte Vista,” Farley opinionated. “The past three years, we’ve lost to them in the regular season, and beat them in the playoffs. It’s a bit of a tradition.” 

Not everyone on the BHS side wants to see a rematch with the Mustangs, however, especially with the team’s tendency to play its best against St. Ignatius. 

“I’d rather play SI,” Lee said. “They’re a better fundamental team, a cleaner team – it’s just easier to play against them. We seem to play well when we play against them.”