With just two regular season games remaining, and AV assured of a finish no higher or lower than 4th, the least they could do was affect the position of their arch-rivals from Calistoga, who were tied at the top of the standings with Roseland Prep. The teams met in the penultimate game of the season and for the second time this year in what is always a tempestuous match-up — the earlier game witnessing several flare-ups, yellow cards, and contentious incidents, including two penalty kicks awarded to Calistoga resulting in their two goals in the 2-2 draw.
Unlike in that first meeting, AV’s formation showed a clear attacking intent — they opened brightly with two excellent moves that led to good efforts on goal, both of which were capably dealt with by the Wildcat ‘keeper. From the second of these attacks, however, Calistoga countered with a quick-moving series of passes through the heart of the Panther midfield and central defense which saw them open the scoring. A very nice goal and, with just six minutes gone, it was 0-1 to the Wildcats.
AV fought back well and were playing the better football when, in the 16th minute, they deservedly equalized as Fernando ‘Junior’ Ferreyra repeated what he’d done in the earlier match by driving home a free kick around the defensive wall from over 20 yards out into the corner of the Wildcat goal. It was 1-1, with the large and partisan AV crowd in fine voice as they boisterously backed their team against the ‘bad boys’ from Calistoga.
Just five minutes later, it was another free-kick from Junior Ferreyra that provided the assist on AV’s second goal as he sent in an excellent cross from wide on the right to the back post which senior Juan Lua met with a powerful header that sent the ball into the far corner of the net. The home fans went wild with delight. It was 2-1 to AV.
Calistoga fought back, as befits a team challenging for the league title, and from a half-clearance out of the AV defense, a Wildcat midfielder hammered the ball back towards goal that took a vicious deflection which saw the ball loop over the helpless Christian Mendosa in the Panther goal. 2-2 at the half.
Following some ‘crowd’ control’ issues that the officials wished to address at the break — just sports fans showing enthusiasm and support for their team, with a little ‘colorful’ language added for extra spice — the second half was a very physical encounter from start to finish, although there was no shortage of skill on display from these two fine teams. In the 55th minute, Jose Gaxiola dribbled infield from the right wing before unleashing a low hard shot from the edge of the area that was headed for the far corner of the goal before it was parried away by the outstretched hand of the diving Wildcat ‘keeper. Unfortunately for him, that wily ‘veteran,’ Juan Lua, was on hand for the loose ball and he calmly placed the ball into the goal from ten yards out. AV had the lead once more, 3-2, as Juan celebrated in style in front of the deliriously happy home fans.
In the 70th minute, a Calistoga player, expressing the increasing frustration of the Wildcats as their chances for the league title appeared to be slipping away, pushed the referee following a decision that had gone against his team. This resulted in his automatic ejection and left his team with ten men for the final 20 minutes. The referee threatened to cancel the game because he had ‘no guarantees’ — a reference to his safety, I assumed. Both coaches talked him out of this melodramatic reaction and the game resumed after a delay of several minutes.
AV scored their fourth and final goal a few minutes later when Erik Martinez flicked the ball on beyond the final defender with his head and Edson Ferreyra, Junior’s uncle, very skillfully lofted the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper and just under the crossbar to the rapturous approval of the joyous Panther players, bench, and fans. It finished 4-2 and was a thoroughly deserved victory for a Panther team that had far too frequently not received the just desserts that their efforts had warranted in many games during this up-and-down season. It also meant that Calistoga would finish as runners-up to Roseland Prep, who are now champions for the third successive season.
The final game of the regular season, schedule for last Friday at home against Upper Lake of the lower division, was cancelled when the opposition claimed they could not field a team. AV gets a 2-0 win in the record book for this, a far cry from what Upper Lake were probably thinking the result would be had they shown up and actually played the game. But that is just my opinion.
The postseason seedings and match-ups were announced on Sunday and AV were given the #2 seed and, following today’s first round bye, will face the winner of the Sonoma Academy/Point Arena first round game. This quarter-final match will be played at Tom Smith Field in Boonville this coming Saturday, November 3rd with a kick-off at 2pm. If the Panthers win, the semi-final will be on Wednesday, November 7th, again at home, kicking off at 3.30pm.
Following the Calistoga game, the talk among the players on the sideline was how much having so many fans at the match, vociferously showing their support for the team, was a huge factor in them playing such a good game. Such support leads to a greater degree of intensity and determination on their part and, with no shortage in the skill level to go with these, such a combination will always result in a positive performance. So, on their behalf, I would like to thank the students and those in the community for your continuing support and we look forward to seeing even more of you on the sidelines as we move into the postseason. ‘Come on you, Panthers!’
Final Regular Season Record (won/lost/drawn):
League 8-4-3; Overall 13-4-3.
Be First to Comment