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Published on 02/02/1998 All articles from this issue

Mustangs riding toward a playoff spot

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

Prep soccer roundup

haking off a slow start, the Homestead High boys soccer team is on the fast track to the playoffs.

The Mustangs have not lost a game since mid-January, compiling four wins and two ties.

This hot streak has moved Homestead into a tie for third place in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division at 5-2-3. The Mustangs are 7-5-4 overall.

Two of Homestead's wins came last week, as the squad out-scored its opponents 10-1.

The week started with a 5-0 shutout of visiting Saratoga Feb. 4. Nathan Vargas, one of four Los Altos residents on the team, knocked in four goals.

On Thursday, the Mustangs dispatched host Milpitas 5-1. Omar Gusmao scored twice for Homestead and Vargas added a goal and an assist.

Vargas, a senior midfielder, leads the team with 10 goals and five assists this season.

"Nathan is too powerful and too strong for most opponents," said Homestead coach Luis Comesana. "He's a bull."

Vargas, who goes 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, has actually been given the nickname "Bull" by his teammates.

If the Mustangs hope to charge into the playoffs, they will need to continue their winning ways.

Only the top three teams in the division are guaranteed a playoff berth, though a fourth team could sneak in by earning an at-large bid.

"If we win the rest of our games we're in," Comesana said. "If the boys want it bad enough, it will happen."

The Mustangs have three games remaining and all are against teams they defeated the first time around: Saratoga, Milpitas and Los Altos.

The toughest - and possibly the most crucial - match will be with Los Altos. The Eagles are the team tied with Homestead for third place.

These two squads were supposed to play at Homestead last Saturday, but the game was postponed due to rain. No make-up date was announced before the Town Crier went to press.

And in other local high school soccer game last week:

Eagles silent Paly

On Feb. 4, visiting Los Altos blanked Palo Alto 3-0.

David Burnham scored all three goals in the second half.

The Eagles improved to 5-2 in the SCVAL De Anza Division and 11-3-1 overall.

Titans fall

On Feb. 4, Cupertino squeaked by host Gunn 1-0.

GIRLS

Lancers take the Titans

After two postponements due to rain, two of the top girls soccer teams in the SCVAL De Anza Division finally met last week.

The weather wasn't all that great for Friday's game, but St. Francis and host Gunn were able to play through the drizzle.

And when it was all over, the Lancers prevailed 3-1.

St. Francis striker Anna Kraus scored two goals, the first on a penalty kick midway through the second half.

Gunn soon tied the game on a shot by Los Altos Hills resident Rachel Hoffman.

But it didn't take long for St. Francis to regain control. About a minute later, Kraus scored an unassisted goal.

Kristi Candau later added to the lead, scoring on an assist by Alia Mendez.

With the win, St. Francis remained atop the De Anza Division at 11-0-1. The Lancers are 14-2-2 overall.

Meanwhile, Gunn stays in second place at 8-1 in the division and 11-3 overall.

Earlier in the week, both Gunn and St. Francis pulled out division wins.

On Feb. 4, St. Francis dispatched visiting Mountain View 3-1.

Candau scored all three goals for the Lancers. Tonya Giraud scored the Spartans' lone goal.

Mountain View dipped to 2-8-2 in the De Anza Division and 2-10-2 overall.

As for Gunn, it breezed by Saratoga 5-1 Feb. 4.

Four of the Titans goals were scored by Los Altos Hills residents, as Hoffman and Callie Withers netted two apiece.

Los Altos ekes past Paly

Host Los Altos edged Palo Alto 2-1 Feb. 4.

Allison Loomis and Sabrina Pourmand scored for the Eagles, who upped their record to 3-7-1 in the SCVAL De Anza Division and 6-7-1 overall.

Homestead rallies

Visiting Homestead edged Cupertino 2-1 Feb. 4.

The Mustangs trailed 1-0 at the break, then came back on second-half goals by Lisa Massey and Tatiana Gusmao.

Homestead improved to 9-1-0 in the SCVAL El Camino Division and 11-6 overall.