The shutout streak ended for the Cate boys soccer team, but that only increased the energy and level of play of the Rams against arch-rival Thacher.
After conceding its first goal in 10 matches, Cate scored three in a 20-minute span and romped to a 6-1 victory that wrapped up the Condor League title on Wednesday.
Avery Schwartz recorded a hat trick and Ema Boateng had two goals and an assist as the top-ranked team in CIF Division 7 improved to 16-0 and 11-0 in the Condor League.
The last goal allowed by the Rams came on Dec. 11 against Division 1 team Harvard Westlake in the Showcase Tournament during the College Cup at UCSB. They’ve outscored their opponents 95-6.
Thacher’s goal was the result of a penalty kick. Garen Fabian was fouled in the box and Fidel Lopez converted the PK to make it a 3-1 game.
“That penalty kick kind spurred us on,” Cate coach Dave Mochel said. “I think we were bummed by that. That’s the first goal given up in league play. I think it inspired us to play a little harder. I think we settled in with a 3-0 lead. They got their penalty kick and their goal and it fired us right up. In some ways, it was advantageous.”
The Rams attacked with Schwartz on the right wing. He was sprung lose and drove in on goal only to have his shot trickle wide of the far post.
Moments later, he broke through again and this time finished his chance for a 4-1 lead. He scored again off a long through ball to complete his hat trick.
“It was a clinic today, the guys did great,” said Mochel.
“We were humbled by a really, really good team,” Thacher coach Fred Coleman said.
Cate, which won the first meeting at Thacher 2-0, charged out of the gate and scored in the fourth minute on an unassisted goal by freshman Teddy Mauze.
Boateng and Joshua Yaro executed a beautiful give and go for the second goal in the 28th minute. Boateng scored off a Yaro cross.
Schwartz made it 3-0, collecting a long throw-in from Jackson Mauze in the box and scoring from 14 yards.
Before the third goal, Boateng and a Thacher defender collided, leaving Boateng with a cut on his forehead and the Thacher player a deep cut to his lower lip. He was taken to the hospital emergency room.
Boateng had his head bandaged and returned to the game.
Thacher worked its way into the attacking third of the field and Fabian got spun around in the box to draw the penalty kick.
“We felt a little bit aggrieved that we gave it up on a penalty and it motivated us to make the scoreline the way we felt it should be,” said Schwartz about the team’s play after the Thacher goal.
The Rams responded with wave after wave of attacks. Avery scored twice and contributed to the third goal with high pressure defense on Thacher’s defenders. The pressure of Avery and Yaro forced a turnover and Yaro fed Boateng, who ripped a low shot into the back of the net from 20 yards.
Mochel praised the play of seniors Jackson Mauze, Michael Hassman, and Luke Shover.
“They were inspiring on both sides of the ball,” he said. “All in all, it was a fantastic team effort that clinched a league title for the Rams.”
