CUPERTINO, CA — The Watsonville soccer team may compete in the toughest league in the Central Coast Section but it hadn't played against a team as as physical as Bellarmine this season.
Bellarmine’s rugged style and meticulous ball handling proved instrumental in the Bells improving their CCS record to now 17 titles as the fifth-seeded Bells defeated the nationally ranked and previously unbeaten second-seed Watsonville 1-0 Saturday in the CCS Division I Championship at Homestead High.
“We just wanted to stay calm the whole time,” said Bellarmine first-year coach Justin Johnson. “We just played as a team and a unit. We thought that if we could play as team and support each other as a team we could come out with the victory.”
Cory Hammett scored the lone goal of the game for the Bells in the 24th minute of play when the senior was able to find the right side of the net when Watsonville goalkeeper Jose Castenada deflected a Jo Jo MacDonald attempt and Hammett took advantage of being in the right spot at the right time.
“It feels great, they are tough competition,” said Hammett. “We couldn’t really get a rhythm. That goal was just a lucky break.”
Soon after the goal the Bells passing and defense became crisper and Watsonville started becoming more frustrated as the matched progressed.
Bellarmine’s physical style seemed to get into the heads of the Wildcatz, as they picked up two red cards and three yellows in the match.
Longtime Watsonville coach Roland Hedgpeth said the officiating let the game get out of hand.
“Just hitting us, pounding us and knocking us down,” said Hedgpeth of Bellarmine. “We responded pretty well and didn’t retaliate. The last couple of minutes frustration kicked in. They were hitting us a lot before we got the ball.”
A physical contest was to be expected for the two rivals who were co-CCS D-I champions last year.
Bellarmine (16-4-4) the West Catholic Athletic League champions who upset No. 1 seed Menlo Atherton 2-0 in the semifinals, enforced its will and style against the ‘Catz, something no team has done to Watsonville this season.
“I think we were frustrating them,” said Hammett. “We got in our positions and stood in front of them. Didn’t let them break through which was key. We were just able to hold them out.”
Watsonville (19-1-3), which came into the contest ranked No. 6 in the country by topdrawersoccer.com, got several chances in the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net.
This loss was Watsonville’s first in 30 matches dating back to last season.
“It was that one error; it’s soccer, it happens,” said Watsonville goalkeeper Jose Castenada. “I’m not taking any credit away from them they are a great team. That one goal made a difference.”
The Bells only got one shot on goal in the second half but its defense held Watsonville to only one attempt also after four in the first half.
Bellarmine got the ‘Catz to play a lot more long ball than their usual short, international style soccer and that worked right into the hands of the much taller and stronger Bellarmine players.
“Our style is short touch, touch, touch passing,” Castenada said. “Playing those high balls were weren’t going to win much; they are way taller than we were. It wasn’t our day.”
The ‘Catz who captured its first league title since 2012 this season will lose 13 of its 20 players from this year’s roster but will again be stacked as the junior varsity team went undefeated this season.
Watsonville will also have Hedgpeth back at the helm for a 39th season next year.
“I told the kids the other day I’ll be back,” he said. “I have a lot of talent back and a really good JV team coming up. I’ll be back.”
