The men and women’s soccer teams represented Cal’s winter sports in the NCS.
But both teams fell short of winning it all as the men’s team lost in the semifinals, while the women’s team lost in the second round.
The men’s team earned the seventh seed in the NCS, and fourth place in the EBAL. In the first round, the Grizzlies faced No.10 College Park on Feb. 13,, where the Grizzlies won 4-1. In the game, seniors Nate Grixti and Jon Massimino each scored a goal.
The Grizzly’s next victim was EBAL rival No. 2 Monte Vista on Feb. 16.
Junior DeVante Raynor led the way with two goals, as the team upset the heavy favorites 3-1.
In the semifinals, Cal met up with another EBAL team, No. 6 San Ramon Valley on Feb. 20. However, the team failed to pull off another upset as they lost 2-0.
With the loss, Cal failed to advance to the championship game against De La Salle, who eventually won NCS in an overtime win.
“Overall, I think we started off strong,” says Grixti. “We faced a variety of difficulties including injuries, but still had a good run.”
The ladies entered the NCS with the eighth seed and faced No.9 James Logan in the first round on Feb. 13.
The lone goal in the game was scored at the end of the first half by junior Preethika Rajeskar, which was good enough to send the team to the next round.
In the second round, the Grizzlies were pitted with undefeated top seeded San Ramon Valley on Feb. 16.
In the end, senior Rachel Feldman’s goal wasn’t enough, as the ladies lost 2-1. It was a tough loss, especially since during the regular season, Cal tied and lost by one to San Ramon in two league matches.
“I feel we did really well in NCS,” says senior Alyssa Holsworth. “We did better than we anticipated.”
Wrestling
The big talk right now on campus is the California High wrestling team, not only because of the blond hair, but for their excellent performance in NCS.
Six members of Cal High’s varsity wrestling team team advanced to NCS Championships at Newark Memorial High School Feb. 22-23. The wrestlers who qualified were seniors Brain Fernandois (285-pound weight class), Scott Chamberlain (132) Daniel Baker (126), John Pricco (160) Mick York (145) and Nick Ludlow (145).
Fernandois was one step away from reaching the heavyweight quarterfinals after winning his first two matches
He beat Daniel Pacheco and Nick Toro before losing 3-0 to Rangel Lowery in the third round.
Scott Chamberlain, in the 132 weight class, first took on Patrick MCcomic. After the win he went on to beat Brain Lilensien, but then lost to Felix Bonavente.
John Pricco lost to Josefa Pappali.
Mick York faced up with Eric Wardenburg but suffered defeat.
Nick Ludlow meet with Dominick Dingess, then fell short and lost.
Under the leadership of coach Kevin Lopez, the team was able to do well in NCS.
– Andrew Evans
