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The Amador Valley varsity boys’ soccer team entered the last week of the East Bay Athletic League regular season needing a pair of wins to have any chance to make the EBAL playoffs, which involves just the top four teams.
The Dons also needed some help along the way to be locked into the fourth and final spot.
Mission accomplished as Amador got the wins, then got the help, and now the Dons find themselves in the EBAL playoffs for the first time in school history.
Amador wasted no time, opening the week with a big 6-0 win over California.
The offense was firing on all cylinders with a hat trick from Nader Hanna, two goals from Lucas Cimas and one from Ekansh Samantra. Picking up assists in the scoring barrage were Mateo Eichler, Jonas Lyions, Cimas, Hanna and Diogo Tempero.
Player of the game went to senior Ezra Hampton, who had more crosses as a sub than all others, then played defense without mistakes at either end.
The momentum carried into the rivalry match against Foothill for a 2-1 win. Lyions opened the scoring (assisted by Cimas), followed by a penalty kick from Avi Gorrepati.
While Foothill managed a goal in the 79th minute, the Dons held firm to secure the win. Player of the game went to Hanna.
Goalkeeper Zander Hobert made a triumphant return from a multi-week injury, earning recognition for several acrobatic saves that kept the Dons in the lead.
The Amador junior varsity closed out its season with a pair of hard-fought draws, finishing a highly competitive campaign with an impressive 10-3-4 record.
The Dons tied their games against Cal (0-0) and Foothill (1-1), with Kingston Smith scoring their lone goal.
In recognition of their standout play throughout the season, these JV players have been called up to join the varsity roster in their postseason run: Smith, Mathias Tempero, Oliver Heid, Ewan Kinnear, Harry Brown and Dyllan Perrez Gallegos.
The Amador freshmen capped off a remarkable season last week with a gritty 2-1 victory over Cal followed by a 0-0 draw against crosstown rival Foothill on Friday.
The draw at Foothill extended their impressive unbeaten streak to six games. For the season, they finished with a final record of 11-4-1, making this the most successful freshmen team in the last decade at Amador Valley.
Amador wrestling
The Dons captured two boys’ titles and one girls’ title at the EBAL Tournament this past weekend.
Evan Johnson took the 159-pound title with a 16-8 majority decision over Tunoa Bodily of Foothill.
William Chandler took the 192-pound title with a thrilling 4-3 win over Ronan McAllister of Livermore.
Finally, on the girls’ side, Eliana Caro took the 102-title with a 11-3 majority decision over Cali Courteau of California.
Amador boys’ basketball
The Dons split games in the final week of the regular season, falling to Cal and beating rival Foothill.
In the 64-61 loss to Cal where the Dons were without Jaylen Smith, Cade Krueger had 24 points to lead the scoring. Elijah Stanley had 19 points and Dante Ventura added nine.
Krueger again led the scoring in the 62-46 win over Foothill with 20 points. Stanley added 14 points and Eli Pace grabbed six rebounds to pace the Amador defense.
Amador girls’ soccer
The Dons ended the regular season with a 2-0 win over Foothill.
Both goals came in the first half, starting with a goal from Mira Garuda, who put away a shot from close range following a loose ball scramble in front of the goal.
The Dons got the second goal when Garuda lofted a corner kick into the box and Julie Wanis headed it home.
The Amador defense took over from there as Foothill was held to one shot in the second half.
Editor’s note: Dennis Miller is a contributing sports writer for Embarcadero Media Foundation’s East Bay Division. To contact him about his Pleasanton Preps column, email acesmag@aol.com.
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