Prep boys’ soccer: Postgame scene sours a thriller as Vista del Lago tops Placer in semi
Grant Tyler appreciates the passion, the energy and the cohesion of his Vista del Lago High School soccer team, and those elements have thrust the surging Eagles into a Sac-Joaquin Section boys’ championship game.
But the Vista del Lago coach said too much emotion can suddenly become troublesome, a bad look. That struck him like a ball to the head Thursday night in Auburn as a spirited, sometimes chippy Division III semifinal against No. 2-seeded Placer ended with a scene that could have really turned ugly.
As Vista players jumped for joy to celebrate a 4-3 victory over the host Hillmen, one Eagles player reached the Placer sideline and took a bow to the Placer bench and crowd. Fans booed right back. Another Vista player waved to the crowd, and then a Placer player, irked at what he saw unfolding on his own turf, flattened a Vista player in retaliation with a hard shove.
That Placer player had to be restrained from racing over to the Vista side to engage some more, his arms flailing to break free. Order was restored. There were no more incidents. Some 20 minutes later, when cooler heads prevailed, Tyler came across the field to seek out Placer coach Dave Brown. Both men smiled as they shook hands and chatted, the conversation starting when Tyler told Brown, “Heck of a game, heck of a season.”
Coaches and players from both sides said they regret their actions, insisting that their emotions and antics do not reflect their team or their schools. Tyler said he will remind his players that people are watching their playoff games, that the Eagles are on a grand stage and that sportsmanship isn’t just the right thing to do, but the only thing to do.
“I’m disappointed with how we acted there,” Tyler said. “I’m not a fan of getting in someone’s face to let them know how you did. Let your feet do the talking. We talk about how we need to win with humility, lose with humility.”
Said Brown of Placer, who bows out after 16 seasons with his finest team, “A game and season without incident and then this happens. Hate to see it end like that. We don’t see and hear everything that’s being said on the field during the game and things can get emotional.”
Brown added, “This was a great team to have my final year with. It’s a great team with good kids.”
Placer ended the season at 18-2-2. It was a group anchored by veteran players, including leaders Lucas Summers, Oscar Martinez, Alejandro Prieto and Justin Federico. Placer’s first goal that tied it at 1 was a header by Kevin Martinez, off a corner kick, and the Hillmen’s final attempt in the closing seconds nearly tied it, a free kick on goal that just missed.
Prieto scored two goals for Placer, his first for a 2-1 lead and his second with just over 26 minutes to play pushed Placer ahead 3-1.
But Vista del Lago kept grinding away, kept attacking. Aadi Johri’s goal pulled the Eagles to within 3-2. Bryce Pando scored two goals and had an assist to lead the rally. The Eagles of Folsom moved to 15-4-3 and have gone 9-0-1 down the stretch. They will play top-seeded Patterson(19-0-1) next week for the championship at a location and date to be determined. Vista players will approach that game with perspective.
“We’re an emotional group,” Pando said. “We’re mentally strong. I’m an antagonist out there sometimes.”
Said fellow Vista senior Josh Moll, “We’re a determined team and spirited. I can understand why Placer was so upset. It’s their senior year and it came to an end, and it’s emotional.”
Vista will enter the section championship match eager to finish old business. The Eagles fell in the D-III semifinals in 2017, 18 and ‘19. Finishing on top of the section heap has been the theme all season.
“It’s been our goal to get to the finals,” said Tyler, the coach. “We’re excited about it.”