Usually you can tell how good the rematch of a game will be based on the emotions that fly around the field after the first game. Take Burlingame vs. Menlo-Atherton boys soccer for example — in game one Burlingame loss 2-1 behind some great hustle goals by Edgardo MOLINA (not Nolina, Julio). And after the game, when talking to Burlingame head coach Mike Sharabi, you could tell he was none too happy. That interview was good because he all but predicted a different outcome in the rematch. “Mark you calendars,” I told everyone.
Well, I was right. Great ballgame from both sides. Either of these teams can win a CCS title, in my opinion. Below you will find an excerpt of the story that ran in today’s Daily Journal, as well as an audio treat. Jacob Pickard, MA’s head coach, is one of my favorite coaches to interview because he (a) always has something intelligent to say and (b) [most importantly] isn’t afraid to speak his mind — especially after a loss. You can listen to have he had to say after the excerpt. Season is winding down … only three league games left (and the playoffs for a select few).
Panthers closing in on Bay title
By Julio Lara, Daily Journal Staff
The soccer gods couldn’t have painted a better scenario Wednesday afternoon.
Two great teams with identical league records — one riding a five-game winning streak, the other looking to redeem itself against the team responsible for their lone blemish in the loss column after a heated battle four weeks ago.
And if that wasn’t enough, the winner would stand alone atop the Peninsula Athletic League Bay division.
Yes, the hype was big for yesterday’s boys’ match between Burlingame ((9-1-1) and Menlo-Atherton (8-2-1) and it lived up to it’s billing with the Panthers holding off the Bears, 2-1.
“It was a very big win,” said Burlingame coach Mike Sharabi. “You like to say that every game you go into you want to win — it doesn’t matter if it’s for first place (or the) first game of the year, you always want to win. Whether you’re training or in the CCS championship. And it’s a very big win. They got the better of us earlier this season and after that game we really felt we were going to come back and work hard and that we would get them at home and it worked out. It’s just a very big win and hopefully it leads to bigger and better things for this fantastic team.”
The Panthers now control their own destiny with three games left on the league schedule — and they have their defense to thank for that.
Oh My July! 
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