With rain pouring down and mud on the field, the boys’ soccer team was set to face off against their rivals, the Sacramento Waldorf Waves, on Jan. 3.
The last time the boys played the Waves was last year when the boys beat the Waves, 3-0, in the section championship.
“You could feel the tension in the air,” sophomore Nate Jakobs said.
And the game lived up to its championship-level expectations. Both teams were scoreless with only minutes remaining in the first half.
Then the Waves had a throw-in in Cavs’ territory on a side out. As the ball flew through the air, the Waves got position and scored off a header, giving them a 1-0 lead.
Seconds after the Cavs’ kickoff, senior Aidan Cunningham got a breakaway, dribbled the keeper and scored from an off angle with only seconds left in the half, tying up the game, 1-1.
Five minutes into the second half, the ball was bouncing around the Waves’ box, when sophomore Jack Christian connected with his laces and sent a bullet into the back of the net, putting the Cavs up, 2-1
Five minutes later, Cunningham streaked down the left side and passed the ball to Christian, who finished in traffic for his second goal, giving the Cavs a generous 3-1 lead.
With 10 minutes left in the game, the Waves got a penalty kick. Senior goalie Zane Jakobs guessed correctly and dove for the ball, but it rolled just under his hand, cutting the goal margin to one.
But the Waves’ efforts weren’t enough. The Cavs held onto their lead as the final buzzer sounded.
“Neither team was ever in control of the game,” Nate said.
“When we figured out their game plan, which was to get the ball to number 11, (junior) Theo (Kaufman) locked him up to hold our lead.”
The Cavs’ first league game is Thursday, Jan. 5, at 3 p.m. against the Cristo Rey Saints at Granite Regional.
—By Jake Longoria
