The Knights beat top-seeded Gonzales in overtime to add to their postseason hardware.
Roseland University Prep is on top of the Northern California soccer scene.
The third-seeded RUP boys squad won its first-ever NorCal title Saturday night, beating top-seeded Gonzales 2-1 in overtime to capture the Division IV crown.
“It feels amazing,” RUP head coach Jose Espinoza said. “There was no better way to finish the season, in a nice stadium, nice environment, beautiful game, and obviously we got the win.”
Down at historic Rabobank Stadium in Salinas, it was the Knights who struck first, via the foot of Angel Guzman. After he was played behind the Gonzales defense with a through ball, Guzman slotted it home into the bottom corner to give RUP and early lead.
The Spartans had a penalty kick opportunity, which RUP keeper Diego Figueroa stepped up and saved. Gonzales later found the equalizer just before the stroke of halftime, on a screamer from outside the box into the top left corner to level it at 1-1.
Both squads had their chances in the second half, but no one could break the deadlock, so to overtime they went. In the extra period, Gonzales hit the post twice, while RUP missed plenty of one-on-one opportunities until three minutes remained on the clock.
Miguel Valenzuela took it upon himself, taking on three defenders at once, beating them all and scoring the title-winning goal and sending the RUP faithful into a frenzy.
The win caps the most successful season in program history. The Knights finish at 16-4-2, undefeated in NCL I league play and now have both a North Coast Section and NorCal title to their name.
“The boys believed in what we could do,” Espinoza said. “I’m grateful for these kids, they gave it their all and it’s their achievement. It makes me proud.”
Not bad for a team whose on-campus field is so small that they had to practice on other schools’ fields, including Montgomery, Elsie Allen and Sonoma Academy, this season.
The Knights are now just the second team from Sonoma County to win a NorCal title, and the sixth boys team from the North Bay to do so.
You can reach Staff Writer Kienan O’Doherty at 415-887-8650 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @kodoherty22.