Salinas goalkeeper Ricardo Losoya made a tremendous save to seal a win in a penalty kick shootout over host Fremont in the first round of the CCS Division I playoffs. Following a rather lackluster performance by both sides, resulting in a 0-0 draw through two overtimes, Losoya made a key stop to help his team advance to the quarterfinals, 4-3 on penalties.
“I think that we played really well today, and that we can beat any team we come up against," said Salinas captain Isaac Orozco, whose team advanced to take on Carlmont, the PAL Bay Division champs.
The Cowboys (11-6-3) won despite attempting just two shots on goal all evening.
“I’m proud of my boys, and I’m looking forward to Carlmont. If we play hard, I think we’ll find ourselves going really far in this tournament,” Salinas coach Gerry Barrera said.
In front of 500 supporting fans, Fremont had the better of the play, although the Firebirds did not attempt a shot on goal until the 55th minute in the defensive battle. Senior Israel Rojas played to the crowd with deft flicks and drags that found the 5-hole of many Salinas defenders, but secondary support from Salinas easily plucked the ball off his feet many times.
With only two shots on goal, Salinas was not able to maintain possession against the Firebirds, the champions of the SCVAL El Camino Division. The Cowboys managed nine crosses that were well within the Fremont keeper’s reach. But there was something about this Fremont goalie who had amazing quickness and skill with the ball — and a number 10 on his back.
After Eduardo Salcedo suffered a sprained ankle earlier in the week, Fremont superstar Leonardo Silva was chosen to play goalie. Easily the team's most effective field player throughout the season, it seemed an odd choice for Fremont coach Pedro Torres to put him in goal.
Regardless, Silva played a great game in goal. He was able to navigate around the fore-checking forwards with his feet, and he plucked crosses out of the air with control and ease. He also had an outstanding penalty kick save that briefly had Fremont in the lead in the penalty shootout, and he also took a penalty that easily found the back of the net. It was Silva’s first game as a goalie.
“He played really well today, and kept us in it for a really long time,” Torres said.
“I liked playing in goal,” Silva said. “It’s a different perspective on the field — you can really see the whole game. I still felt like I was able to help the team, and unfortunately, we just didn’t win in penalties.”
