Soccer Playoffs: Cal High Comeback Devastates San Ramon Valley High

For the San Ramon Valley High boys' soccer team, the first 40 minutes of Wednesday's North Coast Section Division 1 semifinal served as an exhibition of dominance. But after seizing a commanding lead, the Wolves' momentum faded and their championship dreams unraveled as San Ramon's California High came back from a three-goal deficit to win, 4-3.

"You can't measure the disappointment," Danville's San Ramon Valley coach Don Busboom said. "You can't even describe it."

Trailing 3-0, Cal High (15-3-6) began its comeback with 20 minutes remaining in the game, when Guillermo Rivas received a pass in the box, and then turned and delivered a grass-scraping strike inside the far post and into the back of the net.

Minutes later, Wolves senior defender Trevor Tow was penalized with a red card when an official ruled that he elbowed an opponent while both were leaping to gain possession of the ball. Per the rules, Tow's ejection left San Ramon Valley (14-3-8) with only 10 players on the field.

"I didn't see anything that should have deserved a red card," said Wolves forward Alex Chaussy. "Maybe a yellow, but not a red. And you don't want to blame the game on any one play, but that really changed things."

Seconds later, with 17 minutes remaining in the game, Cal forward Ryan Kelly floated the ball just past the Wolves goalkeeper and into the net, bringing the score to 3-2. And while the Grizzlies' first goal seemed to be an aberration, their second score signaled a sea change.

"It's all about momentum," said Cal coach Chris Faidley. "We captured it, and once momentum swings like that, it's hard to get it back."

With 13 minutes to play, Grizzlies forward Elliot Anderson headed in a goal off of a long throw-in, tying the game at three goals apiece. And as the clock wound its way into stoppage time, Anderson clinched the victory with yet another headed-in goal.

On one sideline, there was jubilation. On the other, shock.

"You can't allow four goals in 20 minutes and ever expect to win a game," said Busboom. "It's just not going to happen."

The comeback was particularly shocking given the way that San Ramon Valley dominated the first 60 minutes. With a fast-paced, attacking style of play, the Wolves surged to their early lead by earning a clear advantage and capitalizing on several of their many scoring opportunities. Alex Chaussy scored twice in the first half, once on an assist from Johan Sjogrell. Scott Rider delivered San Ramon Valley's other goal.

But while the Wolves looked on in stunned silence as the Grizzlies celebrated their win, those early goals were distant memories.

"It's shock," said Chaussy. "It's disappointment. Really serious disappointment."