SHP boys get soccer miracle SHP boys get soccer miracle (November 07, 2003)

by Keith Peters

For the past couple days, Juan Camahort talked about needing a miracle for his Sacred Heart Prep boys' soccer team in order to qualify for the Central Coast Section Division III playoffs.

That miracle arrived Tuesday when the Gators defeated Fremont Christian, 5-1, and Woodside Priory upset Valley Christian-Dublin, 2-0, on the final day of the Private Schools Athletic League season.

SHP and Valley Christian-Dublin began the day tied for second place in the PSAL, both with 12-3 records. Only the top two teams qualify for the postseason, and VC-Dublin held the tiebreaker over the Gators should the teams remain tied.

"We need a miracle," Camahort said before the teams played Tuesday.

After being informed of Woodside Priory's upset later that evening, Camahort said simply: "My prayers were answered."

The Gators put themselves in position to defend their CCS title by first upsetting first-place King's Academy last Friday, 1-0. At the same time, VC-Dublin was being upset by Harker, 1-0. That moved SHP into a tie for second place.

However, the Gators still needed help Tuesday from Priory in the form of a win or tie. And, they got it.

Brian Mansoor and Gardner Waterman both scored goals for Woodside Priory and Leon Johnson provided an assist as the Panthers gave SHP an early Christmas present. The Gators did their part by getting two goals from junior Justin Pirzadeh, his first coming off a header on a throw-in from Spencer Lucian with less than 15 minutes left in the match.

"I told the players after the game, lets keep our fingers crossed," Camahort said.

Sacred Heart Prep (13-3, 17-3) now advances to Thursday's sectional semifinals against host North Valley Baptist in San Jose. A victory will send the Gators to Saturday's championship match against King's Academy or Downtown College Prep at Valley Christian-San Jose at 1:30 p.m.

"It's in our hands now," Camahort said.