The Sac-Joaquin Section Division-I boys soccer bracket saw multiple upsets on Tuesday, including Turlock High’s upset of No. 6 Davis High.
No. 11 Turlock won the Central California Conference, however, was coming off a regular season loss to Pitman and was given a lower seed that forced them to travel on the road.
Turlock met No. 6 Davis, which was no match for the Bulldogs who dominated the pitch from beginning to end and came away with a 2-0 final.
“We had a great game,” said Turlock head coach Doug Sperry.
“I was more nervous for this game more than any other game because no one has played in the playoffs on this team,” said Sperry. “I was wondering if nerves got to them, but they handled it beautifully and played their style and played hard and really controlled the game from start to finish.”
After a stalemate first half, Turlock finally found the back of the net in the second.
It took less than a dozen minutes for Jonathan Lara to find the back of the net after an Eduardo Zamora assist.
Zamora made his way down the side of the field and crossed it to Lara, who put the ball in for the first goal to go up 1-0.
“Eduardo did a great job placing it and we finished like we have been doing all year,” said Sperry.
Zamora was also named the Central California Conference Defensive Most Valuable Player prior to the start of the tournament.
Less than 10 minutes later, senior captain and CCC Offensive Most Valuable Player Marcus Decouto created a chance after he dribbled down the field from 40 yards out and into the penalty area.
From there, Decouto struck the back of the net and put the ‘Dogs up 2-0, essentially sealing the deal on the road.
“It’s hard not to feel a certain way after winning league,” said Sperry. “I have never seen a CCC team win and not get a least one home game, but the guys handled it well. We figured to go down there and show them they got it wrong.”
They did, despite Davis striking at the back of the net in the final five minutes.
“They had a couple of shots on goal, one or two that bounced around,” said Sperry. “They created some (opportunities) especially when time was running out at the end, but we handled that well and kept our composure and put the game away.”
With the help of Cesar Rodriguez on the defensive back line, Turlock was able to fend off the final minutes.
“Cesar is a good defender, but hasn’t had a ton of playing time. He stepped up and didn’t miss a beat,” said Sperry.
No. 14 Edison upset No. 3 Granite Bay 1-0 on Tuesday, so Turlock will host Edison at 3 p.m. Thursday.
“We get the one we deserve,” said Sperry about hosting a game. “We are not angry, it is what it is, we are just glad we get to have fans out there and I know we are looking forward it.”
