By Caleb Knudsen
When last we checked in with the boys soccer varsity at Healdsburg High, they held a 3-2 record, having just defeated St. Helena in a one-sided 8-0 shutout in Healdsburg. But that turned even with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss against the Roseland University Prep team on Dec. 11.
Two nights later it was a somewhat different story, as the boys traveled to Maria Carrillo and tied the Pumas on their own turf, 1-1, followed by another tie score against Petaluma on Dec. 16.
When it was time for a rematch with St. Helena, on Dec. 20, the game was held in Napa Valley to give the Saints a chance to regain their honor following the Dec. 6 shutout. The anticipated revenge battle was a letdown for St. Helena, although they fell, albeit by a more respectable 2-0 score, to give the Greyhounds their fourth win of the year. The HHS varsity is 4-3-2 as the calendar flips into view of a new year.
“Leading the stats are junior forward Jairo Mendoza with 7 goals and 3 assists. Senior goalkeeper Roy Paz has recorded 3 shutouts,” reported coach Herbert Lemus. “Most of our forwards are in the score sheet with different players providing the assists which is good for our team.”
Aside from the 3-0 loss to Ukiah almost a month ago, Lemus said the team had been playing well. They have scored 21 goals so far, while allowing only 8.
The year 2025 starts with non-league matches against Montgomery on Jan. 7 and Cloverdale on Jan. 9, both home games for Healdsburg. Then the NCS-Redwood season starts for the Greyhounds on Jan. 17, again at home, against Piner. Other Redwood League competitors include Santa Rosa, Elsie Allen and Analy.
Said Lemus, “We really like our chances, provided that our team remains healthy and playing well, of course.”
