Scotts Valley High School’s boys soccer team moved into second place in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League, after defeating Santa Cruz and Soquel high schools last week.
The varsity soccer team swept past Santa Cruz High School with a 3-0 win on Wednesday, Feb.12, followed by a hard-fought 3-2 win over Soquel.
Against Santa Cruz, the Falcons controlled the pace for much of the game. Scotts Valley came out with strong passing that spread the field and allowed them to handle and attack the pursuing Cardinals.
With senior captains Charlie Stock and Cameron Hart covering ground on the offensive side, and junior defender Spencer Smith and senior captain Steve Lonhart halting all strikes by Santa Cruz, the Falcons held control of the ball the majority of the time.
However, it was a scoreless game until 30 minutes into the first half when sophomore Noah Byrd crossed the ball from the right sideline to Hart, who kicked the ball over the Santa Cruz goalie, high into the net.
Up 1-0, the Falcons looked to extend their lead, but did not do so until the second half. Lonhart took a free kick from just past the midfield line. Stock touched it first and sent it to a streaking Eric Beraut, who blasted it into the Santa Cruz goal, putting Scotts Valley up 2-0 in the 59th minute.
“I saw Eric making the run out the corner of my eye, so I just flicked it over to him and he did the rest,” Stock said.
Four minutes later, the Falcons scored again off a free kick. Lonhart took the kick from outside the goal box but was blocked. The ball rebounded loose and bounced to Smith, who took a shot on goal. The Santa Cruz goalie blocked the shot, but fumbled the ball and Beraut gained control and pounded it into the open net.
Santa Cruz tried to counter the Falcon’s 3-0 lead, but Scotts Valley’s defense, including sophomore goalie Ryan Edwards allowed no goals. Edwards finished with six saves.
“We trust each other,” head coach Brian Terwilliger said. “The field was bad, but we were able to stay strong and encourage one another.”
Stock notices a similar relationship among the team.
“Everybody has really good chemistry,” Stock said. “We’re all good friends on and off the field.”
Falcons top Knights
The Scotts Valley boys varsity soccer team defeated Soquel High with a 3-2 win on Monday, Feb. 17.
Senior Noah Carl scored the first goal for the Falcons, with an assist from Charlie Stock.
Steve Lonhart contributed with Scotts Valley’s second goal, and assisted Eric Beraut with the Falcons third and final goal.
Falcon goalie, Ryan Edwards, finished with six saves.
Scotts Valley is currently in second place in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League.
The Falcon’s overall record is 11-3-3 and their SCCAL record is 7-2-2.
Scotts Valley played Harbor High at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19 after press-time. The game will be at Soquel High School for the Falcon’s last SCCAL game and senior night.
The Falcons will likely qualify for the Central Coast Section playoffs. The playoff seeding meeting will be held Sunday, Feb. 22 and announcements will be made shortly after.
