An undermanned Cate boys soccer squad dropped a 2-0 decision against Pacifica on Tuesday.
The Rams entered the match facing some injuries and sick starters.
“We struggled early to get settled and defensively organized,” said coach Jim Kane
Pacifica took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute when a ball was poked by goalkeeper Keller Mochel on a 1v1.
Pacifica stepped its attack in the second half and drew a foul in the penalty area in the 65th minute. The Tritons converted the penalty kick for a 2-0 lead.
Mochel played a stellar game for the Rams, making 17 saves, including a handful of excellent reaction saves and diving saves.
“It’s part of the game,” Kane said. “Every coach faces the challenge of injuries to key players at some point. It’s not about the injuries, it is about the boys who are given the opportunity to see time in the game. This gives them a chance to step up and battle for more playing time by showing assistant coach Matt Bateson and I how they perform under match conditions.
“A number of boys without varsity game experience were called on for significant time tonight,” he added. “At one point, we had 6 players on the field with no varsity playing time prior to Thursday’s game against St Bonaventure.”
