Prep boys’ soccer: Flurry of goals helps Vista del Lago save its season, advance to semis
With a swirling wind making play difficult, the Vista del Lago boys’ soccer team looked like its playoff run was in jeopardy Tuesday night. The third-seeded Eagles trailed sixth-seeded Galt 1-0 late in the first half and it looked like it might be one of those games where things go sideways for a high seed.
Enter Aadi Johri. The senior tamed the wind and leveled the game with an equalizer. The goal calmed his team and Vista del Lago romped in the second half to take a 6-1 win and advance to the Division III semifinals Thursday.
“I think we were a little frantic in the first half. We didn’t stick to our gameplan,” said head coach Grant Tyler. “Getting the goal at the end of the first half way key. Getting the goal made it level playing field. If they go into halftime with a lead, they are able to have a talk and change their gameplan.”
In the second half, the Eagles looked composed. They took a total of 12 shots on goal, with five of those finding the back of the net. Once the first goal landed, their offense began to roll all over the Warriors defense. Three different players scored in the second half for the Eagles, four in total. It was an exciting game that will help boost their confidence moving forward. Vista del Lago will travel to nearby Placer for Thursday’s semifinal.]
While the scoring was impressive, nothing was more impactful than the clutch play of senior keeper Jacob Granados. After allowing the first goal to Galt, Granados was able to make three incredible saves and keep his team’s chances alive against a very skilled Warriors team.
“He made three phenomenal saves,” said Tyler. “If he doesn’t make those says we’re in a completely different position because they can sit in. And now we have to try to break them down and it’s a lot harder. He kept us in the game.”
Granados, who has played keeper his entire life, is different from the average player.
Most kids grow up wanting to be the next Ronaldo or Messi. For those that are a little older, they would have wanted to be like Pelé or Maradona. But not Granados. He has always aspired to be like Spanish keeper Iker Casillas, his idol.
“I always watch his videos before every game. Even before this one too” said Granados.
Whatever video Granados decided to watch Tuesday, his teammates might want to make him rewatch it before every match they have left this season. But Granados is quick to deflect praise.
“I got to thank the defense,” said Granados. “This team played so good today, absolutely every second of the game.”
The Eagles will need to continue this high level of play in the semifinals. They face a very tough second-seeded Placer team that has only surrendered one loss on the year in going 18-1-2. Both teams beat up on Oakmont but have few common opponents, so it’s difficult to get a read on who might have an edge. This season, Placer has scored almost three goals for every one goal it allowed. It should be a very interesting match.
“Knock on wood, but Vista has a curse in the semifinals,” said Granados. “We’ll see, but we’re going to break the curse this time.”
The match will be played at Placer at 6 p.m. Thursday.
This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 5:55 AM.