The Analy Tigers took a big step in their quest for a first-ever
North Coast Section soccer title last week, defeating Arcata, 4-0,
and Windsor, 1-0 to advance to the Division-1 semi-finals.
At press time, the second-seeded Tigers were preparing to host
11th seeded Cardinal Newman on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., with a
trip to the NCS championship game the reward for the winner.Â
Should the Tigers beat Newman, they will advance to play the winner
of the Maria Carrillo-Montgomery match in the title game this
Saturday, Nov. 13. Check the NCS website for time and
location.Â
Analy turns back Arcata, Windsor
The second-seeded Tigers got a couple of good tests against NCS
opponents last week, beginning with a Nov. 3 match against
number-15 Arcata. Following a scoreless first half, the Tigers
jumped all over the visitors with second-half goals from Cameron
Wehrfritz (PK), Augustin Reyes (2), and David Vigil, with assists
going to Wehrfritz, and Armando Coronel. Credit Tiger goalie
Sebastian Birthelmer with the shutout for Analy.
The Tigers faced a familiar if not formidable foe in league
rival Windsor on Saturday, as the seventh seeded Jaguars gave Analy
all they wanted in a great defensive battle.
Despite having the better of the first half action, Analy was
denied on several scoring chances as the opening frame ended
deadlocked at 0-0. The Tigers finally drew blood 90 seconds into
the second half when Augustin Reyes broke loose up the left side
and delivered a text-book cross to a streaking Armando Coronel, who
nailed a header past a diving Windsor goalie for a 1-0 lead.
Analy’s vaunted back line of Ryan Willis, Eli Munger, Keith
Pastorino and Anthony Zepponi was severely tested in the final 38
minutes of play, fighting off several Jaguar corner kicks. The
defense rose to the challenge, and the Tigers held on to notch the
1-0 victory. Birthelmer turned in one of his best efforts of the
season to record the shutout.Â
