Cate went on the road and got a positive result at CIF Division 3-ranked Pacifica, drawing with the Tritons, 2-2, on Wednesday.
Iman Fardghassemi and Joel Serugo scored first-half goals to give the Rams a 2-1 lead at halftime. After being turned back several times, Pacifica got the equalizer with less than two minutes left in the game. The Tritons played a cross into the box that was headed into the net.
Cate coach Peter Mack was pleased how his team played against a strong opponent.
“It was hard not to be impressed by our ability to rebound against a very talented team, especially having gone down 1-0 early on,” he said. “We played with poise and energy and confidence. We had to overcome injuries to several key players during the course of the game, but we covered those losses admirably. And while it’s always disappointing to give up a win in the final minutes of play, the fact is that we showed incredible resolve and confidence when things didn’t go our way early. I am enormously impressed by the character of our guys from top to bottom.”
The Rams rebounded after Pacifica took a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick that was a result of a hand-ball violation in the box.
Cate stepped up its game and drove a ball on goal that was headed out at the goal-line by a Pacifica defender. Fardghassemi stepped in and beat the goalkeeper with a shot from 15 yards.
The Rams maintained their intensity and took a 2-1 lead when Serugo’s 30-yard blast ducked under the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Cate is now 1-2-1 against teams in higher CIF divisions.
