Boys’ soccer makes deep postseason run
Samo boys varsity soccer enjoyed a near flawless 2024/25 campaign, going a perfect 9-0 in league and becoming league tournament champions. Their undefeated season secured a spot in the CIF Southern Section Open Division, where they dramatically beat Crossroads 3-2 on aggregate. After a 1-0 home victory, D1 recruit Gabriel Sherman (’25) scored both goals for Samo in the second leg to propel the Vikings to a historic semifinal against JSerra Lions, the top ranked school in the United States.
The first leg ended in a hard fought scoreless draw, and the Vikings came out firing in the second leg. Khaelon Zeitlin (’26) expertly dispatched a penalty before Orlando Popkin (’25) bundled home the second from close range. The Lions pulled one back at the end of the half, sending the Vikings into the break up 2-1 on aggregate.
JSerra came out with a newfound intensity in the second half, forcing goalkeeper Pedro Duarte Silva (’25) into a handful of excellent saves. The Lions slotted home the equalizer after the hour mark, before centre back Ben Komlos (’25) saw his second yellow of the night on the ensuing kickoff and was sent off. Down a man, the Vikings defended valiantly through the end of full time and both extra time periods.
In the 110th minute, JSerra blasted home the golden goal winner with the last kick of the game. Following the heartbreaking result, co-captain Asa Colwell (’25) provided his thoughts on the performance.
“We really held up in the first game, we were really, really strong against the number one team in the country,” Colwell said. “The second game, unfortunately we lost, but still we showed great resilience.”
Calder DuPont / Contributer
Gabriel Sherman (’25) and teamates celebrate Sherman’s goal to make the score 2-1 for Samo against the St. Augustine Saints on March 4.
Despite the desolating loss, Samo still managed to earn themselves a spot in the State Regional Competition. On Tuesday, March 4, Samo traveled to San Diego to face the St. Augustine Saints in the first round. Senior Leon Ivanov (’25) opened the scoring with a beautifully placed header, before a penalty for the Saints took them into halftime locked at 1-1. In the second half, Sherman restored the advantage for Samo, taking his tally for the season to a staggering 12 goals and six assists. With the Vikings taking a 2-1 lead into the closing stages, St. Augustine was awarded their second penalty of the game in controversial fashion. The Saints pulled level once again, sending the game into a penalty shootout. Samo lost the shootout 5-4, ending their deep postseason run with back-to-back agonizing defeats. Colwell speaks out on how the officiating affected the outcome of the game.
“Everyone agrees that it wasn't a penalty. The actual guy that got fouled went over to his teammate and said he kicked the ground,” Colwell said. “It's just such an unfortunate loss and it feels like the officiating could have been better, but it's in the past now. I feel like we displayed some amazing soccer over this past season, and we had a great CIF run. I am so grateful for all my teammates and all the boys out there; I feel like we worked hard and we didn't deserve to lose, but I’m very happy.”