COLUSA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – Three county teams saw their season’s come to an end in last week in the semifinal round of the Northern Section CIF Division III soccer playoffs as the Pierce and Williams boys along with the Colusa girls fell to their respective opponents.
Playing on their home field last Tuesday, the No.1 seeded Pierce boys were stunned by No. 4 Hamilton City in overtime by a 1-2 score.
It was the first meeting this year between the Sacramento Valley League champion Bears and the Braves, who stood atop the Mid-Valley League standings, and it seemed that the first round bye did not help Pierce as in the 20th minute Hamilton City jumped ahead with a virtually uncontested goal.
Although the Bears dominated time of possession in first 40 minutes of play, keeping the ball in the attacking half, they were unable to find the back of the net.
Yet, all match long the Braves were more aggressive in getting to the ball and continually disrupted the Pierce attack.
Still, the Bears gave themselves a chance with under two minutes remaining in the match when Uriel Ruiz came through with the equalizer to force overtime.
Unfortunately, the elation was short-lived as Hamilton City scored the golden goal off a set piece that Pierce could not clear.
It was just the second loss of the year for the Bears (12-2-2), but a devastating one that brought an end to their season.
Meanwhile, No. 3 Williams suffered a similar fate against No. 2 Winters as the Warriors put two second half goals in the back of the net to send the match to overtime.
With neither team scoring the golden goal, penalty kicks followed with the first round ending 4-4, but in the second, the Yellowjackets came up one short, making good on three, while Winters converted all four of its opportunities.
Jose Padilla scored the ‘Jackets first goal of the match off an assist from Leo Esparza, while Brian Jimenez booted in the second amidst a crowd out in front of the goal.
Esparza along with Jorge Saavedra, Manny Santillan, Julian Garcia, Danny Preciado and Jose Cervantes were successful on the penalty kick attempts.
With the loss, Williams (8-4-4) saw its bid for a third straight section title come to an end.
As for the No. 3 Colusa girls, they fell in less dramatic fashion to No. 2 Shasta Charter Academy by a score of 1-5.
Lizbet Ayala accounted for the RedHawks’ (12-7-2) lone goal.