Skyline men’s soccer took down Chabot College in a thriller game that ended with a score of 3-2 in the first round of the regional playoffs.

In the first half both teams scored one goal including a stunning shot by Chabot in the 25th minute, which hit the top right-hand corner. 

In the second half Skyline scored two goals by Beto Fernandez and Ethan Jimenez Flamenco that gave the team a two-point lead for 13 minutes of the second half prior to the final goal by Chabot.

Flamenco said in the locker room before the game the team discussed the importance of effort and supporting one another through an analogy that stuck with the team throughout the game.

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“Piano players, they can play, but the people who move the piano for them are the most hardworking,” Flamenco said. 

Flamenco also credited the coaches for reminding the team to approach Chabot with the right mindset.

Skyline freshman goalkeeper Matias Kramer jumps over multiple to stop Chabot from scoring on a free kick in the first half. (Antonio Peeples)

“We came in thinking if we want to lose ‘let’s be cocky,’” Flamenco said. “But thank god to the coaches, they said ‘you guys will win if you pretend this is the number one seed,’ and we put that in our minds and it was a tough game.”

Fernandez said he felt happy that he got a goal in the playoffs because of the level of prominence the game had.

“It always means something when you’re in the playoffs, so it’s an honor to score a goal because not a lot of people are here, so scoring in the playoffs is always amazing,” Fernandez said.

Skyline head coach Gabe Saucedo said this was by far one of the most intense games of the season especially because it was playoffs.

“It was a playoff game where you have to survive and advance,” Saucedo said. “It just brings a little added pressure but I thought our guys handled the pressure really well, I thought they came out really good in the first half [and] I thought we had more of the ball, we had more of the chances we just needed to put some goals away and we did.” 

Saucedo also said Skyline’s main goal and focus is to win the state championship and make it to be one of the final four teams. 

“That’s our main goal right now is to keep winning and get to the final four, that’s what we’re focused on,” Saucedo said.

Skyline will play in the 2nd round of the playoffs on Saturday, November 22nd against an opponent that is to be determined.