Era likely Era likely (November 09, 2005)ends for SHP after CCS loss

by Keith Peters

An era in local soccer ended quietly on Saturday when the Sacred Heart Prep boys' soccer team walked off the field at Valley Christian in San Jose following a 1-0 loss to Latino College Prep.

The win for Latino Prep was the first ever by a Christian Private Schools Athletic League team in the CCS Division III championship game. Moreover, it likely signaled the end of Juan Camahort's coaching career at Sacred Heart Prep.

Camahort announced to his team on Sunday night that he would be taking a break from coaching. Later, however, he received a phone call from SHP principal Rich Dioli to reconsider.

"He (Dioli) asked me to hold off on my decision," Camahort said Monday. "Now I'm going to have to think about it for the next two weeks. It's not really a done deal."

More than likely, however, it is. Saturday's match marked the end of Camahort's 10th year with the Sacred Heart Prep boys' team. His predecessor, Len Renery, also coached 10 seasons.

"It's just burnout," Camahort said of his initial decision to step aside. "Ten years is a long time. It's a good number. I just felt a little tired. I didn't have as much fire as before. I just need a break."

Camahort could change his mind in the next two weeks and return. Then again, he has accomplished quite a lot in his 10 years on the job. Since 2000, his teams won five Private Schools Athletic League titles in six years and four CCS Division III crowns. His 2004 squad set the all-time school record for wins during a remarkable 21-0-1 season.

This year's squad wasn't that perfect. The Gators finished 15-6-2 in 2005 but appeared heavy favorites going into Saturday's section finals.

Latino College Prep, however, proved to be more of an unknown team that anyone had believed. Playing in near obscurity in the CPSAL, no one really knew how good the Golden Eagles were, let alone their season record.

Had Sacred Heart Prep been able to cash in on one of its numerous scoring opportunities in the first half of Saturday's match, the outcome probably would have been different.

After holding the Gators scoreless at halftime, however, Latino Prep had the wind and sun at its back in the second half and all kinds of momentum. The Golden Eagles were too quick to the ball, had better ball skills and cut off nearly every key pass the Gators made.

"They made us run around like crazy,"Camahort said. "They made us chase. We were getting worn down."

Camahort told his team at halftime to start sending passes over the top of Latino Prep's defense, but the Gators either couldn't get balls airborne or had they hold up in the stiff breeze. Every time SHP had a scoring opportunity, Latino Prep had players converge on SHP players quickly to end the threat.

"It was like we were a step slow all day," Camahort confirmed.

The only mistake Latino Prep made was after it scored with just 3:44 left to play. With the clock at 2:00, the visitors sent in their backup goalie. In stoppage time, the Gators mounted one final attack and nearly tied it as junior Michael McMahon got himself open and fired a crossing shot. The backup goalie, however, made a game-saving diving stop.

Moments later, it was over. For SHP seniors Garrick Yuen, Drew Cattermole, Cory Hatton, Jean Jordan, Andrew Ninneman, Keegan Leary and injured Brooks Miller, the loss marked the end of their prep careers.

The Gators, however, return 11 players - six of whom started Saturday. Thus, Sacred Heart Prep should be back contending next season. The only question is, will Juan Camahort be there leading the Gators.

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