Local sports roundup • Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024

El Camino 6, KIPP Esperanza 0

Ayden Fernandez returned to the lineup and the Colts (5-1-1) won their fifth straight at KIPP Esperanza-Palo Alto (0-4-1).

A junior forward, Fernandez scored one goal, his first of the season, and added one assist. Freshman Daniel Figueroa led the way with two goals and an assist, while junior Andrew Tafolla recorded one goal and two assists. Ryan Bollentini and Raphael Caoile also scored for El Camino.

At 5-1-1 overall, the Colts are now off to their best start since 2016-17, when the team opened on a 12-0-2 tear amid a 20-win season.

SATURDAY

Boys’ soccer

Crystal 2, Cupertino 0

The Gryphons (5-0) took care of business, winning their bracket in the Firebird Classic by topping Cupertino (3-3). Sophomore Dante Martin racked up one goal and one assist for Crystal, while senior Tarik Baker returned to action after a late run into the fall season with Crystal cross country. Baker earned his first goal of the year and Cameron Kani recorded an assist.

Menlo-Atherton 2, Serra 1

The Bears (5-0-1) opened the season with five straight home games, but passed their first road test of the season in a battle of unbeatens at Serra (2-1). With the match deadlocked 1-1 at the half, M-A scored the game-winner in the closing minute in thrilling fashion, when senior Noah De Haaff found the rebound to convert off a Shinya Frank free kick that winged the post. Junior Nolan Kanevsky got M-A on the board in the first half with his first goal of the year. Serra senior Nate Coughlin scored the first-half equalizer, his fourth goal of the season.

In other action ...

South City (1-4-1) earned its first win of the year 2-1 over Lincoln-Santa Clara (1-2-2) in tournament action at Santa Clara High School. With the match tied 1-1, the Warriors scored a second-half game-winner.

Burlingame (2-2) got back in the win column with a 1-0 victory over Hollister (2-2-1) at Santa Clara High School.

Nueva (1-5) lost its fourth straight, falling 4-0 to Monte Vista Christian-Watsonville (3-2-1) at the Sunnyvale Cup. Patrick Tracey and Ryan Noyes scored two goals apiece for the Mustangs.

Half Moon Bay (2-4) dropped its third straight 4-1 to Salinas (4-0-3) at the Firebird Tournament in Saratoga. Salinas junior Emilio Padilla led all scorers with two goals.

Sacred Heart Prep (3-1-2) took its first loss of the year, falling 3-0 to Harbor-Santa Cruz (5-1-1) at the Tom Moore Invitational at Stevenson High School.

Girls’ soccer

Terra Nova 2, Monta Vista 0

The Tigers (3-0-1) earned their third straight win in tournament action against Monta Vista-Cupertino (2-4). Senior midfielder Gianna Pelleriti led the way, scoring two goals for Terra Nova. Pelleriti, who entered the season with two goals in two previous varsity seasons, now has four goals on the year. Freshman Laney Wilson and junior Ella Templin each recorded assists, and senior goalkeeper Kylie Gangi had two saves.

Notre Dame-Belmont 2, Milpitas 1

NDB (2-2-1) defended its home pitch in tournament action against Milpitas (2-4). Junior Maisie Street and senior Olivia Caballero communicated nicely, each recording one goal and one assist in the match. The Tigers put eights shots on goal with Milpitas goalkeeper Isabelle Plascenia totaling six saves.

Aragon 2, Sacred Heart Cathedral 1

The Lady Dons (4-1) won their second straight on their home pitch, handing Sacred Heart Cathedral (4-1) its first loss of the year. Sophomore midfielder Emi Lo scored both of Aragon’s goals, giving her four on the year and 15 on her two-year varsity career. Senior Stela Pisaro recorded one assist for the Dons, who have now defeated three private schools, including Menlo School and Crystal.

Notre Dame-SJ 3, Half Moon Bay 1

The Cougars (2-3-1) fell in tournament action to Notre Dame-San Jose (2-2-1), relying on junior goalkeeper Frankie DeRosa to keep them in it was six saves on the day. Sophomore Callie Bellino scored HMB’s goals on an assist from sophomre Ruby Forchini. It was Forchini’s fourth goal of the year after a hat trick last Tuesday against Gonzales.

In other action ...

South City (3-2) might have thought it was playing for the football rivalry “Bell” trophy seeing as it dropped seven goals in a 7-0 victory at archrival El Camino (0-3-1).

Capuchino (0-5-2) fell 4-0 in tournament action to Santa Teresa-San Jose (3-2-1).

Carlmont (4-2-1) fell 3-0 in non-league action at Christopher-Gilroy (2-2-1).

Burlingame (1-4-1) earned a 1-1 draw in tournament action against Homestead-Cupertino (0-2-3).

FRIDAY

Boys’ soccer

Menlo-Atherton 1, Woodside 0

The Bears (4-0-1) earned a first-half goal from senior Nathan Thurlow on an assist from senior Yandel Hernandez to win it at home over Woodside (1-4). It was the fifth goal of the season for Thurlow, who scored four all of last season. The loss was the fourth straight for the Wildcats.

El Camino 5, San Mateo 1

Freshman Emilio Jimenez made his new impact on the El Camino varsity squad felt, tallying six points with two goals and two assists in a lopsided win at home over San Mateo (1-5). Jimenez entered the day with one goal on the year. He wasn’t the only freshman to make waves, as freshman Jose Hernandez added a goal, his second of the year. Junior Andrew Tafolla added one goal and one assist, senior Noah Flores scored one goal and sophomore Jordan Gomez recorded an assist for the Colts.

In other action ...

Sacred Heart Prep (3-0-1) earned its third straight win 1-0 in tournament action at Christian Brothers (3-2-3).

Terra Nova (3-1) earned its third straight win, rallying at home past Jefferson (0-4) in an all JUHSD matchup.

Aragon (4-0-2) stayed red hot with its fourth straight win, rolling 4-0 at home against Mills (0-2).

Carlmont (1-4-1) scored a second-half equalizer to earn a 1-1 draw at Christopher-Gilroy (1-1-2).

Girls’ soccer

Design Tech 8, Eastside College Prep 0

The Dragons (1-1) earned their first win of the year with an explosive scoring output on their home pitch at the Belmont Sports Complex against Eastside College Prep (2-2). Six different players scored goals for Design Tech, with freshman Serena Glass totaling two goals and two assists, while senior Jeneva Fletcher equaled the match-high with two goals. Freshman Lily Kayla, senior Desiree Torres, senior Tessa Martin and sophomore Kathleen Hananouchi each scored as well.

Design Tech is no stranger to big scoring outputs, having totaled 60 goals in 14 matches last season.

In other action ...

Westmoor (0-2) fell 1-0 on its home pitch to San Jose (3-0-1). The Bulldogs produced the game’s lone goal on a score by senior Emily Aquino, assisted by sophomore Damaris Rosas in the second half.