Prep boys’ soccer: ‘This isn’t our last game’. Oak Ridge survives shootout to advance

Moments before the Oak Ridge High School boys’ soccer team took the field for a penalty shootout, a player in the huddle yelled something.

“This isn’t our last game boys.”

He was right. Thursday night’s opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division l boys’ soccer playoffs saw No. 8 Oak Ridge beat ninth-seeded Franklin on penalty kicks in El Dorado Hills.

After 20 minutes of overtime, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Avery Chimienti, Spencer Hasik, Cameron Milbrath, Ben Mehl and Brian Ramirez all calmly made their penalty kicks. Ramirez’s was the kick that helped the Trojans’ season alive. When the ball went into the back of the net, the entire Oak Ridge team stormed the field to celebrate.

Oak Ridge senior captain J.B. Diei knows the feeling of being on the other side of an ending like that. Two years ago he was a sophomore on the Oak Ridge varsity team when they lost in penalty kicks to Tokay in the semifinals of the playoffs.

“I was there two years ago,” Diei said. “It’s unbelievable (to be on the opposite side of it). (Watching) was very nerve-wracking in the moment.”

Leading up to the game against Franklin, the Trojans practiced penalty kicks. It paid off.

“We didn’t want to lose,” Oak Ridge senior Cameron Milbrath said. “We were super amped and excited heading into penalty kicks. We played this team in preseason and we knew what they were about. We practiced this yesterday so it wasn’t as nerve-wracking.”

Jake Gomann and Ben Mehl scored Oak Ridge’s goals in regulation. After Mehl scored to give the Trojans a 2-0 lead in the 61st minute, Franklin responded with goals by Joaquin Luna and Ishan Chandra that sent it to extra time and eventually penalty kicks.

Oak Ridge coach Tony Guzman said playing a tough Sierra Foothill League schedule prepared his team for this game. The Trojans went 4-5-1 in league play but they’re one of five teams in the league that made the playoffs. Whitney earned the No. 2 seed in the Division l bracket and Folsom joined them, drawing the No. 13 seed. Granite Bay and Del Oro are the top two seeds in the Division ll bracket.

“All of the opponents in our league are super strong,” Guzman said. “We definitely have the advantage coming into (the playoffs). I have a lot of seniors on this team and all of them know every game (from here on out) could be their last. Our team has bonded together and they work hard and battle out here.”

Guzman added, “It’s the start of the playoffs, it has to be exciting. We definitely felt the effects this season from COVID-19. I’m super excited they allowed the boys to play in the playoffs this year.”

Guzman is in his first season as varsity head coach after previously serving as the junior varsity coach the past few seasons. He took over for Joe Champion, who is now the Oak Ridge soccer program director. He helps oversee the boys’ and girls’ programs and remains a fixture on the sideline at games.

“I played a lot of soccer as a child,” Guzman said on his soccer background. “When I came to the program, I always knew I wanted to be the varsity coach. The opportunity came and our athletic director gave me the job.”

Oak Ridge will face top-seeded Davis on Tuesday in the second round of the playoffs. The Trojans played Davis in the second round of the 2018 playoffs. The Blue Devils won in a penalty shootout. The Trojans lone section title win in 2014 came over Davis.

“We are ready for them,” Guzman said. “We are excited. These boys know they’re a good program. They’re ready.”

Mehl added, “Davis is a great team. I’m looking forward to playing them.”

This story was originally published February 11, 2022 at 6:31 AM.