Page One

A miraculous goal at the end of regulation wasn’t quite enough to get the Berkeley High boys’ soccer team past Castro Valley in the North Coast Section quarterfinals on Saturday night, as the ’Jackets fell on penalty kicks. 

Castro Valley goalkeeper Ryan Jimenez stopped three of Berkeley’s five attempts during the final tiebreaker, giving his team a 2-1 win. Jimenez also made 12 saves in the game. 

Berkeley barely made it to overtime. Down 1-0 since Alex Cameron’s header goal in the 21st minute of the game, the ’Jackets grew increasingly desperate late in the second half, pushing more players to the front with every attack. They finally broke through during injury time, as a Liam Reilly throw-in landed in the Castro Valley goalmouth. Several players hacked at the ball, and it ended up at the feet of Berkeley’s Willie Vega, who slammed it into the back of the net for a last-gasp tie. 

“My players were pretty down after (Berkeley) tied the game, but they fought through it,” Castro Valley head coach Al Peacock said. “For them to maintain their composure was all I could ask for.” 

Vega nearly crushed the Trojans’ hopes in the first overtime period, curling a shot over Jimenez that hit the underside of the crossbar and away from the goal. 

Berkeley dominated the next extra period as well, as Jimenez made two saves and Berkeley defender Chris Darby bounced a header off of the post. 

“Their goalkeeper was the difference today, but I’ll tell you what: the post was his best friend,” Berkeley head coach Janu Juarez said. “How many balls did was have go off the frame?” 

The ’Jackets knew they would be at a disadvantage in a shootout, as Jimenez, who will play at Sacramento State next year, is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the state. 

“We beat them in every aspect except the shootout,” Berkeley senior Chris Davis said. “But we knew that if it came down to that, it would be tough for us to win. I know Ryan, and he’s tough to beat.” 

The ’Jackets were hampered by the field conditions, with a torrential downpour an hour before the game turning the surface into a quagmire. The Berkeley players, used to their home Astroturf, looked as if they were playing on skates for much of the game. 

Berkeley outshot Castro Valley 18-10 in the game, but in the end they just didn’t finish enough of their chances. As the 10th seed in the playoffs, few expected them to win a game, much less take the second-seeded Trojans to penalty kicks. 

“Sometimes the best team doesn’t win,” Berkeley defender Victor Mendoza said. 

But Juarez had a different take on the outcome. 

“There are no sour grapes here. The best team is the one advances,” Juarez said. “That means they’re the better team tonight. But make no mistake: we took them to the mat.” 

There was no shortage of teary eyes on the Berkeley sideline after the game, especially on the outgoing seniors. Davis, who plans to play at Brown University next year, said this year’s team was a special one. 

“I’ve been playing soccer year-round for the last 12 years, and this is the best season I’ve ever had,” Davis said. “I love everybody on this team.”