Las Positas Soccer Enjoys Dream Finishes To Open Playoffs

Two teams. Two dream finishes on the road.

Las Positas College men’s and women’s soccer coach Andy Cumbo had a day for the ages in Round 1 of the CCCAA Northern California Regional Playoffs on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Cumbo’s teams both upset host Santa Rosa Junior College in penalty kick shootouts, back-to-back. Talk about surreal.

“This is a legendary day in my career and for our soccer programs at LPC,” Cumbo stated.

Las Positas women’s team, seeded 19th, knocked off No. 14 Santa Rosa 6-5 in a shootout after a scoreless tie in regulation and overtime. Las Positas men’s team, seeded No. 22, upended No. 11 Santa Rosa 4-1 in penalties after a 1-1 tie in regulation and overtime.

Now that’s a day!

In the women’s match, Las Positas goalkeeper Ava Buckles stepped from the net to convert the sixth PK, then sealed the win by turning back a Santa Rosa attempt.

“She (Buckles) had an amazing game overall, and so did Alyssa Sullivan on defense,” said Cumbo, whose team (9-7-5) fell to No. 3 seed and host Sierra 3-0 in the next round of the playoffs.

The men’s game wound to a spellbinding conclusion for the Hawks. Adam Chapman leaped and headed in the tying goal in the 90th minute off a Dylan Ersham cross after he beat a defender out wide.

In PKs, goalkeeper Sean Miller stopped the Bear Cubs’ second attempt, and SRJC missed its third.

The Hawks (7-10-4) fell to host No. 6 Cosumnes River 6-1 in Round 2 on Saturday, but nothing could erase the memories from the shootout sweep in Santa Rosa.

“Both of my teams played their hearts out and left it all on the field,” Cumbo stated proudly on Wednesday evening. “They grinded, and we were absolutely prepared for penalty kicks. All the time and energy we put into training paid off.”

Cumbo now has 98 career wins at Las Positas (2016-22) and 275 wins at the collegiate level (2001-22).

In the loss to Cosumnes River, Colin Miller scored for Las Positas.

The CCCAA State Championships are Dec. 2 & 4 at American River College in Sacramento.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Hawks (3-18, 2-8) finished the season with a 3-0 loss to Ohlone in the Coast-North. The scores were 25-16, 25-11, 25-21.

Rachel Dayton completed a strong season with team highs in kills with 16 and digs with nine. Rachel Tuazon had 22 assists, five digs and two service aces. Jasmine Linsangan had eight digs.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Las Positas (5-1) made it two consecutive wins with an 84-76 win over visiting Napa Valley (1-5) on Friday night, Nov. 18. The Hawks, ranked No. 10 in the CCCMBCA Northern California Preseason Poll, travel to No. 7 San Jose City on Wednesday, in a Coast Conference interdivision game.

Against Napa Valley, Jalen Patterson had a game-high 24 points and Brandon Fisher had a double-double off the bench of 14 points and 13 rebounds. Isaiah Victor had 17 points and Jordahn Johnson added nine points and 12 boards. Jaden Phillips tacked on seven points.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Las Positas (0-3) is scheduled to host Taft on Nov. 26 and Marin Nov. 29.