Highlanders continue to try to build
PHS boys soccer team fell to host Mt. Eden, 2-1 on Jan. 14. The team is now 2-7 on the season.
“The first half was good, but we need to build on the simple concepts,” coach Ben Russell said. “Talking, communicating, problem-solving as the game goes, the initial part of the game looked okay — but (there needs to be) more accountability on the boys to be out there problem-solving.”
The match started in Mt. Eden’s possession, with back and forth drives up and down the field from both teams. Mt. Eden shot their first goal attempt six minutes into the first half, but the ball was saved by goalie Tobias Tsai.
“(Tsai) as a goalkeeper is phenomenal,” Russell said.
Mt. Eden continued to apply harsh offensive pressure before Piedmont center defensive midfielder Henry Devan stole the ball and took a huge offensive drive down the field, but ended up losing the ball.
Devan, filling in for center midfielder Roman Ahearn’s absence, played three different positions in the game: attacking center midfielder, center defensive midfielder, and center back.
“I played alright, I definitely made a lot of mistakes, but I think everyone does,” Devan said. “I’m overall proud of my performance.”
The Highlanders had their first close chance nine minutes into the first half when a shot on goal by right wing Robert Piniella was stopped short by Mt. Eden goalie Giovanni Lopez Montoya.
The ball then went out of bounds, was given to Piedmont possession, and left center back Elias Reed-Miguel scored a goal off a header with 25 minutes left in the half.
“I saw (Miles Kim) grabbed the ball for the cross, and sent it back to the middle and the goalie just kind of missed it,” Reed-Miguel said. “It felt like time kind of froze — like there was so much time — and I just knew I had to get it on target to go in. And I did just that.”
After the goal, Mt. Eden turned up the heat, with striker Luis Fernando Duarte driving down the field and shooting multiple times, resulting in numerous saves by Tsai.
The Highlanders and Monarchs continued battling up and down the field before the end of the first half.
“We have a lot to work on,” Devan said. “We are still bringing it all together. We need to work together better.”
Piedmont started the second half with the ball, but it was soon turned over. Subbing in for Tsai, goalie Colt Hitchcock had a phenomenal save against Duarte five minutes into the second half.
The Highlanders almost scored for the second time with 28 minutes left in the match, but were once again countered by a drive from Duarte.
“I think just focusing on our effort, because obviously against a good team, you can’t control everything. But if we can make good tackles and attack quickly, I think we’ll give ourselves a chance (in the future),” Reed-Miguel said.
Mt. Eden scored their first goal with 25 minutes left in the game by striker Braulio Lopez, knotting the score at 1-1. The Monarchs seemed to ground themselves, and continued to apply pressure on Piedmont.
Midfielder Diego Villagomez scored Mt. Eden’s second goal with nine minutes left in the game, leaving the Highlanders down a score with very little time.
“We are still a young team, and we need that experience and to be able to hold onto games like this, especially when we are in the winning position,” Reed-Miguel said.
With three minutes left, striker Evan Yamanaka drove the ball down the field and almost scored, before losing control of the ball.
“It’s nice to have Evan Yamanaka back — he’s been out most of the season with a wrist injury,” Russell said. “I thought he came back and looked quite sharp.”
The Highlanders also lost a nonleague game to Chico at home 3-0 on Jan. 7, and beat Encinal in a league game 2-1 on the road.