CASTROVILLE—Pajaro Valley High senior Daniel Murillo was in a bit of a funk going into Tuesday night’s league match in which the Grizzlies boys’ soccer team desperately needed a win in order to keep its playoff hopes alive.
However, he picked the perfect time to break out of his slump with a late goal to get past North Monterey County in a 4-1 victory in Pacific Coast Athletic League Cypress Division action.
Murillo said he felt the pressure, especially because it was a wide-open shot that his coaches were yelling at the top of their lungs for him to take.
“I looked up, I saw the keeper was coming forward so I shot it and good thing it went in,” he said. “I was proud that I sealed that win and I’m just glad we have a chance to make it to the [Central Coast Section].”
With the win, the Grizzlies finished with a 10-1-1 record in Cypress Division play to capture their fourth league crown and an automatic berth into the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Players celebrated after the game but kept it to a minimum of handshakes and hugs, knowing that business is far from over.
“We have a group of humble kids that I don’t think they realize now they’re league champs and they can celebrate,” said Pajaro Valley coach Cesar Rojas. “We came into North Monterey County with respect…they’re a great team, fortunately luck was on our side.”
The Grizzlies continue the quest to capture their second section title since winning the Division II championship in 2007-08.
A chance to extend the season is extra special to Murillo after he wasn’t eligible to play during his sophomore and junior years due to grades.
“Senior year, I made sure to have the grades for it,” he said.
Prior to Tuesday’s game, senior Ignacio Aguado already had an Instagram post sitting in his draft folder stating that they’d already won the Cypress Division championship.
“I was confident,” he said.
Aguado talked about putting in the hard work such as early morning practices, hitting the weight room, having meals together and staying after practice in order to improve.
“It’s just a family, we do everything together,” he said.
Aguado was credited with the assist on the game’s opening goal scored in the 7th minute by Jesus Alvarado.
Midway through the first half, senior Carlos Mata earned an assist when he found fellow senior teammate Salvador Mora for a goal in the 22nd that extended the lead at 2-0.
Pajaro Valley added more salt to the wound just before halftime.
A corner kick from junior Giovanni Bedolla was sent near the net and the ball deflected off of sophomore Izaak Ocampo for the score in the 38th minute.
Bedolla was credited with the assist for the Grizzlies, who were in total control with a 3-0 lead going into the break.
Pajaro Valley also had some assistance from Mother Nature as wind speeds were up to 14 miles per hour and wind gusts reached as high as 17 mph shortly after kickoff.
“We played with the wind in our favor, that was big,” Rojas said.
One thing not in their favor was the amount of yellow cards issued by the referee. Players on both sides were carded for letting out some extra emotions or an aggressive foul on the pitch.
Mora was called for his second yellow card and was ejected from the game in the 80th-plus minute.
The Grizzlies were already without several players due to injury including standout senior Johan Vazquez, who will be sidelined for most of the CCS playoffs.
“I know the referee and with all due respect, he’s like that,” Cesar Rojas said. “He’s the one in charge of the game and if he’s noticing something on the field, he has the right to do that.”
Rojas managed to keep the players composed, including on the defensive side where they struggled near the end.
The wind continued in the second half, which was then toppled with a short burst of rain that made both the pitch and the game slippery.
But just like the wind, both teams settled down and the Grizzlies attempted to take control of the possession game like they did in the first 40 minutes.
Instead, it was the Condors who took flight after getting on the scoreboard for the first time with a goal in the 68th minute, cutting Pajaro Valley’s deficit to 3-1.
Rojas said there was some pressure on the players and warned Isaac Rojas to remain in the back third of the pitch to assist the defense.
“[Isaac’s] kind of the main man that we can count on to do all the work,” Cesar Rojas said. “He runs the whole field.”
Aguado wasn’t sure what happened other than perhaps a change in the formation that was dedicated to the defense, which was attempting to hold on for the clean sheet.
“I feel like it did something to us,” he said.
Murillo eased the nervousness with a 30-yard bomb that sailed over the goalkeeper’s head and into the back of the net, putting the game out of reach at 4-1.
Isaac Rojas was credited with the assist, while goalkeeper Damian Rodriguez made five saves for the Grizzlies, who will learn their placing and seeding for the CCS postseason on Thursday night.
Cesar Rojas will continue to remind players of the goals they set for themselves prior to the season. The first was to win the league championship, followed by a trip to the CCS playoffs.
Aguado said it felt good to win a Cypress Division title, but now it’s time to bring home the program’s first section title in 15 years.
“It would mean the world to me,” he said. “I gotta keep putting in the work.”
