After scoring a dramatic game-tying goal with just seconds to play in regulation, Pitman High’s run to a CIF Northern California championship fell short, as they were bested 5-4 in penalty kicks by Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa at Joe Debely Stadium.
The Pride (19-5-2), seeded No. 1 in the NorCal tournament and Division 2 champions of the Sac-Joaquin Section, were coming off a 3-2 overtime win over Campbell in the opening round.
Trailing 1-0 since late in the first half, on a goal by sophomore Gavin Stone, Pitman ferociously attacked the Cardinals’ goal again and again over the final 15 minutes.
It felt inevitable the Pride would score — and they finally broke through 60 seconds before the final whistle.
Keegan Pires, working along the home sideline, sent a lovely cross to a well-covered Davian Lizarraga, who out-leaped senior Samuel Abbott and headed it past sophomore keeper Devon Taylor from 8 yards out, setting off a wild celebration in the stands.
“When I saw that ball in the air, I knew nobody else had the same drive as I did,” said Lizarraga. “I saw the light around the ball and I just went for it.”
The 15-minute overtime period produced no result, and the game moved to penalty kicks.
Pitman’s Zach Looney, who has committed to play collegiately at Sacramento State, missed the first attempt.
“He’s the guy for the team, and the team knows that,” said PHS coach Manuel Romero. “We trust him. He scored two in the section final; he scored one prior to that in PK’s against Whitney. I think he tried to go left side, but he just kicked it a bit too central. But that was a good save by the keeper.”
Pitman goalie Isaac Padilla was unable to counter with a stop of his own.
Senior Giovanni Dimauro kicked one past Padilla to clinch the victory.
“Goalkeepers on penalties is basically 50-50,” said Padilla. “I look at their hips and their hand, but they’re pretty good penalty takers. They sold it well and sent me the wrong way.”
Cardinal Newman coach Ryan Corriveau praised his team for regrouping after giving up a gut-punch of a goal with seconds to play.
“The score probably deserved to be 1-1 at the end of that thing,” said Corriveau. “They were on us in the second half. Credit to them for being the aggressors. But credit to our boys for being able to take a blow like that and then be able to calm themselves and go forward.”
Softball
Turlock 12, Downey 0, at Turlock High — The Bulldogs’ Karley Wool and Abby Maxwell both smashed solo home runs, while teammates Cadee Campbell, Emily Pires, Audrey Bailey and Rylie Bankson each collected two hits in a Central California Athletic League mercy-rule victory over the Knights.
The victory evens Turlock’s Central California Athletic League mark at 1-1, tying them with Gregori one game back of Enochs.
Downey falls to 0-2 in conference play.
Bailey picked up the victory inside the circle, allowing just one hit and two walks while fanning four.
Campbell also had three stolen bases for the ’Dogs, while Rylee Murphy scored three runs.
Up next for Turlock is a Tuesday home game against the league-leading Eagles. Game time is 4 p.m.
Baseball
Hilmar 11, Turlock Christian 0, at Pedretti Park — The Yellowjackets’ Jacob Sward went 3-for-4 with two RBI’s, two runs scored, and a stolen base in a non-league blanking of the Eagles. Tanner Westmoreland also drove in two runs for Hilmar.
The ’Jackets improve to 8-0 on the season, and will open up Trans-Valley League play on Wednesday with a home-and-home series at Ripon Christian. Game 2 of the set will be Friday in Hilmar.
Turlock Christian is off next week.
