Despite losing title match, SHP boys remain soccer champions

It was a tale of two goals, one that went in and another that did not. Regardless, Sacred Heart Prep and Bellarmine were worthy adversaries and represented the game of soccer in all its glory.

The Bells scored midway through the first half and then made it stand up to earn a 1-0 victory in the championship match of the Central Coast Section Open Division boys tournament Friday night at Buck Shaw Stadium on the Santa Clara University campus.

“In the grand scheme of things, we have another game Tuesday and an opportunity to do well in the state tournament,” SHP coach Guillermo Talancon Jr said. “From an emotional standpoint, this game meant a lot. That goal really changed things but we had a couple of opportunities. There were moments that changed the momentum and it changed often.”

Unlike last season, when the Gators (18-1-2) saw their season end with a 1-0 loss in the CCS tournament, they advance into the CIF NorCal Regional Championships and could host a match at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

“I’d love to get another home game,” Talancon said. “But we’ll go anywhere to play.”

NorCal play includes competition in four divisions. Pairings will be announced Sunday. Bellarmine is also the defending NorCal Division I champion.

“It’s sad the game went as it did but at least we have one more chance to play in a final,” SHP senior Liam Johnson said. “They’re a solid team but so are we. All we can do now is focus on the next game.”

Sacred Heart Prep had appeared to score but the ball was ruled not to have crossed the line. Since the game was not live-streamed, there’s no official video available.

“I certainly thought it went in,” SHP senior Alexi Stavropoulos said. “Nevertheless, we missed some opportunities.”

Talancon called this year’s team “the strongest we’ve ever had and it was led by the seniors. Day in and day out they do things that coaches are astounded by. It was an emotional loss but I’m more proud than disappointed. All year we talked about getting the chance to play in the Open Division and then getting a chance to prove we could do well.”

Sacred Heart Prep has not suffered a losing season since 2008-09 and never under Talancon and Armando Del Rio. The Gators are 36-2-4 over their past two seasons after accumulating a 31-19-13 mark the previous four seasons.

“This season is all I could have asked for, from my teammates to the coaches,” Johnson said. “This is the best team I’ve been a part of.”

What Talancon believes is that the senior class created a blueprint for the program and what they can accomplish in the future.

“Liam, Kevin (Box) and I have been there from the start,” Stavropoulos said. “We learned to play from the coaches and players before us. Our job is to assume responsibility and make tough decisions if necessary.”