On a cold and rainy night, Bonita Vista High (BVH) boys’ varsity soccer took on Castle Park High (CPH) in a home game on Jan. 19. The Barons dominated the game-winning 5-0.

BVH starts the game strong with a midfield kick-off and possession of the ball, CPH players struggling to gain possession throughout the game. Forward and senior Carlo Chavez (4) scores the first goal at 31 minutes, bringing the score to 1-0. The crowd cheers with excitement as the sounds of celebratory spinning ratchets from the fans are heard.

“I felt really glad scoring the first goal for our team. I think that is what really started the game off,” Chavez said.  

Later in the first half, forward and senior Esteban Salais (16) scores a goal for BVH. The team celebrates this goal as they assemble themselves in the corner of the field acting out rowing a rowboat, the team often does this to indicate teamwork. Two minutes later, defender and senior Fabian Tapia (13) fails to shoot on goal while the game follows. A shoulder to shoulder hit by two players from BVH injures CPH’s goalie as he is hit and carried out the field.

“We started off really strong. We only really slowed down after the [CPH] goalie got out for injury, but we quickly got back to scoring goals,” Chavez said. “Castle Park plays very well but with our offensive and defensive plays, we really got the lead in the game.” 

With 13 minutes left in the first half, BVH forward and junior Luiz Diaz (13) scores a goal that is followed by a long series of offensive and defensive plays. This led to a fourth goal with one minute left by Salais. The half comes to an end with the score at 4-0, a wave emerges from the home crowd followed by cheers. Head coach Jonathan Zurita gives the team a quick but efficient inspirational speech expressing how proud he is of them. 

“The team has been playing strong all season. I’m very proud of them. I can see that they really push themselves not only in games but during our practice,” Zurita. “I hope to see more wins for our fans in the stands and for our boys on the field.”

Initiating the second quarter, side offense and senior David Ramirez (26) starts it off with a far launch of the ball toward CPH’s goal. BVH middle forward and junior Kaleb Mayoga (17) attempts to score a goal but fails as it gets caught between the goalie and the goal. With seven minutes left of the second quarter, middle forward and senior Luis Diaz (8) scores a goal, his team surrounds and hugs him. 

“The team is close; our coach is new but we all treat each other like family. We all support each other,” goalkeeper and junior Armando Guaracha (00) said. “I feel that it’s imperative for us to be friendly because it affects our plays [positively] when we cheer.”

Six minutes left in the second half and CPH attempts to score a goal but fails, the score remains in favor of BVH at 5-0. During those final minutes of the game it began to rain on the field, however, imposing no threat to the lead by BVH.

“The rain was no bother really. It was more like a reminder of our practice [on Monday] where it was also raining so they were prepared for this. A little wind or rain won’t stop the team from trying their hardest to win, it only really makes everyone want to leave sooner,” Zurita said. 

Cheers slowly phased out as spectators eagerly and hastily begin to pack up and leave. The game ends with the BVH boys’ varsity soccer team shutting CPH out 5-0. The team looks forward to continuing a winning streak for the rest of the season. 

“It was a really good game. The team had close calls in the first half when Castle Park took control of the ball. We’ve been playing really well this season and I feel like [for] the games in the future we will continue to see more wins. Little games like this really brings the team together,” Guaracha said.