High school soccer teams will reach the end of the Sonoma County League schedule this week, looking for a strong finish to possibly extend the season.
The Analy boys (11-6, 7-4) are a step closer to achieving their postseason goals after posting another pair of wins, slipping by Elsie Allen (2-0) and Healdsburg (2-1). The Tigers finished a busy week on Saturday with a disappointing 4-0 loss to Piner.
Oliver Ziemer found the net 18 minutes into the first half against the Lobos on Jan. 30, with Iain Douch adding a goal in the second period as the Tigers cruised to a 2-0 win.
The Tigers played host to Healdsburg two nights later, spotting the Greyhounds a goal in the opening period. Analy got the equalizer 10 minutes later when Ziemer was fouled in the box and Sam Housman converted the ensuing penalty kick to tie the contest at 1-1 at the half. The game remained deadlocked until late in the second half when Armando Parra nailed a left-footed volley into the net for an eventual 2-1 win.
On Saturday, the host Piner Prospectors took advantage of a defensive breakdown to score in the 30th minute and then added two more goals in quick succession for a 3-0 lead. Piner added an insurance goal after intermission en route to a 4-0 win.
The Tigers will host Sonoma Valley on Feb. 8 (7 p.m.) in the league finale, and then await a likely NCS playoff berth.
Lions come close
The Lions (0-11-1, 0-8-1) came within a whisker of notching their first season win on Jan. 30, forging a 2-2 tie with Petaluma in an overtime thriller. Logan Myers and Ryan Pamatmat scored goals for El Molino.
“The boys played one of their best games of the season,” El Mo coach Dave Rosales reported, citing outstanding play from freshman Jacob Cibrian.
El Mo squared off with Piner two nights later, with the Lion’s goal coming off the foot of Adolfo Membrilla in an eventual 3-1 Prospector’s win.
“It was another strong defensive game by Kristian Walker, Patrick Palmer and Jacob Cibrian,” Rosales said, before adding, “Logan Myers played well in midfield.”
The Lions close out the winter campaign on Feb. 6 (after press time) against Healdsburg.
