Bad bounce, no win

But with one bounce, the game changed and, with it, the Knights’ chance to win. The Wildcats finally found the back of the net eight minutes into the first 10-minute overtime period and then survived the final frantic minutes of the second 10-minute overtime to record a 1-0 win over Hillsdale.

"I’m happy. The kids played good, the game was competitive,” said Hillsdale coach Andy Hodzic. "[St. Ignatius was] the luckier team.”

There’s no other way to describe St. Ignatius’ goal. On a free kick from near midfield, the ball was sent to the top of the Hillsdale penalty box, where the Wildcats were looking for someone to flick the ball on. The ball sailed over the scrum at the top of the box, bounced and caught the Hillsdale goalkeeper out of position for the only time in the game, bouncing over his head and into the goal.

It was an uncharacteristic mistake for freshman Michael Golden, who was more than solid between the posts and definitely did not deserve to have a game-winner scored on him like that.

"He’s a good goalie,” Hodzic said. "That goal was weak. But that’s fine.”

Golden faced a virtual shooting gallery in the first half as St. Ignatius (10-8-5) sent wave after wave at the Hillsdale goal in the opening 40 minutes, but Golden was up to the task, making four saves on nine Wildcat shots.

In the second half, he was a lot less busy, facing only five shots, making three saves.

Hillsdale (13-5-3) did not quit after giving up the goal, however. If nothing else, the Knights picked up their attack and nearly found the equalizer a couple times. Twice Robert Dorst beat the Wildcats’ offside trap in the final minutes, the second of which nearly resulted in an own goal as his cross deflected off a St. Ignatius defender, forcing the Wildcats’ goalkeeper to make an awkward, juggling save.

Prior to Dorst’s two forays, Andreas Lau nearly caught the Wildcats defense napping. Calvin Araujo sent a ball into space that Lau chased down. He made a cross to the front of the St. Ignatius goal, but a Wildcats defender and a Knights player got their feet tangled and both went down, with the ball sliding harmlessly by both.

Bigger, faster and stronger, St. Ignatius had Hillsdale on its heels for most of the first half. Using heavy pressure every time the Knights touched the ball, the Wildcats won most of the 50-50 balls and owned just about everything in the air.

"They’re, physically, much stronger,” Hodzic said.

When it became apparent the Knights’ desire to play a lot of one- and two-touch passing was not happening, they reverted to more individual play with the ball at their feet. Araujo, along with Andreas and Kelly Lau, used some fancy footwork to maintain possession and then feed their teammates. That appeared to put the Knights more at ease and they spent most of the final 10, 15 minutes of the first half putting the pressure on the Wildcats’ defense.

In the second half, the game was much more evenly played as the Hillsdale backline did a much better job of preventing the Wildcats from running freely in open space.

As the minutes ticked away and the game remained scoreless, Hodzic was beginning to think his tactics might pay off.

"You know what we did in practice yesterday?” Hodzic asked. "[We were] practicing penalty kicks. I was playing for PKs because I know my kids aren’t physically strong enough (to hang with St. Ignatius).

"But I’m fine. Getting my team (this far) is good.”

Girls’ soccer

Crystal Springs continues to enjoy a historic season.

After setting school records for goals scored, as well as fewest allowed, the Gryphons also made history by qualifying for the CCS Division III tournament for first time.

Wednesday, they picked up their first-ever CCS win, downing visiting Pacific Grove 1-0.

"First-time ever qualifying for the playoffs and winning the first one? The girls are definitely on an emotional high right now,” said Crystal Springs assistant coach Michael Flynn. "It’s a big deal for them. They’re riding the wave and enjoying it.”

Despite winning by only a goal, Flynn said the game was not as close as the score indicated. He said Pacific Grove never presented too many dangerous chances and even on a few challenging plays, goalkeeper Maret Rossi was up to the task, making three saves.

Crystal Springs (19-1-2) scored the game’s lone goal in the first half. Natasha Thornton-Clark was taken down in the box to earn a penalty kick, but the Pacific Grove goalkeeper got a hand on the shot and deflected it off the post. Thornton-Clark stayed with the play, however, and buried the rebound for the goal.

The Gryphons now take on top-seeded Scotts Valley in a quarterfinal game Saturday at a time and place to be determined.