If you want to haul over to Concord this evening, you’ll be able to cheer on the Berkeley High boys varsity soccer team in an NCS semifinal match against number one ranked De La Salle.
The Jackets entered the tournament as league champions and ranked fourth. They won their first round match against College Park 2-0, and faced traditional rivals Richmond in the quarterfinals (see video above, with Berkeley in white). That match proved an epic, with two overtimes when the match ended 1-1 after regulation time. The lights went out in the first overtime, so the match, started on Saturday, resumed on Monday. In a dramatic penalty shootout, the Jackets prevailed 9-8 8-7. De La Salle hasn’t faced as much drama yet in the tournament, winning its first two games 4-0 and 3-1.
The Jackets go into tonight’s game with a 17-3-3 record. De La Salle has a 16-5-3 record. The winner will face either number two ranked San Ramon Valley or number six California in the NCS final.
Tonight’s game kicks off at 7 p.m. at De La Salle High School in Concord.
Update I’ve been sent more details on Monday’s penalty shootout. The first five shots from both teams were successful. After the first five, each shot is effectively sudden death. Both teams made their sixth kick. Richmond’s seventh shot went wide of the goal, and Berkeley’s seventh penalty taker held his nerve and scored for the win.
An analytical preview of tonight’s semifinal is on East Bay Prep Corner.
