BOYS SOCCER: Cherokees Fall Late at Burlingame

The Score: Burlingame 1, Sequoia 0.

The Star: Sequoia High sweeper Carlos Ramos made several tackles, frustrating a Burlingame offense for the majority of the game. Nevertheless, the Cherokees suffered their first loss in the Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division.

The Turning Point: With 20 minutes left on the game, Sequoia left the wings unmarked, allowing through balls and crosses from the left wing, one of which found midfielder Stefano Bonomo for the winning score.

The Quote: “We didn’t play a game in the first half, we played a practice.” – Sequoia coach Julio Calles, on his team’s early demeanor on the pitch.

What’s Next? Sequoia will host Terra Nova on Friday at 5:45 p.m.

The Bottom Line: Sequoia’s defense softened up in the second half, allowing Burlingame to dominate possession and get cracks at goal, which proved costly as the Panthers recorded the game-winner in the 73^rd minute.

________________________________________________________________________________

Defending champion Sequoia High suffered its first loss of the Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division, falling 1-0 at rival Burlingame on Wednesday afternoon.

Sequoia (3-4-2, 1-1-1 PAL Bay) was just as aggressive as Burlingame in the first half, but lacked quality touches to get the ball inside the penalty box. The Cherokees were pressured constantly in the second half and were not able to retain possession.

Burlingame (7-2-1, 3-0) struggled early to find spaces and get clear shots on goal, but made plenty of adjustments in the second half to break down a sturdy Cherokee defense. The Panthers lost to Sequoia twice last season and were out for revenge in their first encounter of league play.

The Panthers missed their first clear chance at goal in the 28^th minute when a shot went inches away from Sequoia’s left goalpost.

Sequoia had an even clearer chance after chasing a loose ball coming into the penalty box. Giovanni Hernandez looked to cross, finding Jose Avalos, who wasn’t able to make the shot from a tough angle outside the box.

Sequoia pushed the ball in the last five minutes of the half, threatening to score with its speedy forwards, but Burlingame was patient and stayed on its lines, holding on until the break.

The game swung to Burlingame’s favor in the second half. The Panthers opened up the half making use of their wingers, who set up cross after cross, exploiting their size and length.

Sequoia sweeper Carlos Ramos was the engine of a Cherokee defense that managed to get stops for most of the game, but fell on its heels in the last 20 minutes of the game allowing plenty of crosses and through balls from the left wing.

A ferocious lefty strike by Burlingame left wing Eduardo Trujillo threatened Victor Meraz’s door at the 63^rd minute as he stretched to keep the ball out of his goal. Trujillo was the receiver of several through balls during a 13-minute lapse in which the Panthers midfield pressure overwhelmed Sequoia.

After eight different touches -- all from the left side of the pitch, Trujillo found Bonomo five yards from the middle of the penalty box. Bonomo dribbled for two seconds and unleashed a powerful right-footed strike which nicked Meraz but still went into his goal.

“We talked on defense, we touched the ball well,” said Ramos. “But we made mistakes at the end and that hurt us.”

The Burlingame crowd exploded into celebration as Bonomo celebrated with his teammates, then high-fived everyone in the bench -- coach included.

Sequoia went into the offensive during the waning minutes of the game, but Burlingame cleared ball after ball to secure its win.

“Our players relied on the fact that we have the best goalie in the league,” said Sequoia coach Julio Calles. “We can’t get complacent. We have skilled players but we can rely on our skill. We have to play hard.”

“We didn’t play a game in the first half, we played a practice. We needed to come out strong in the second half -- which we did, but we got pressured and allowed them to score,” added Calles.

“We need to go hard in every practice so we can make sure this doesn’t happen again,” said senior captain Jaime Ciriaco.

________________________________________________________________________________ 

Burlingame 1, Sequoia 0

At Burlingame

Scores: B: Bonomo 73:00.

Records: Sequoia 3-4-2, 1-1-1 PAL Bay. Burlingame 7-2-1, 3-0.