The Cupertino Courier

Sports

Fremont wins mudbath against Pioneers

By Mike Barnhart

So just how hot is the Fremont boys soccer team?

Ask the Cupertino Pioneers, who tried just about everything to cool off the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League El Camino Division's first-place team last Friday--including playing the game in the first place!

On a day when wild, wintry weather washed out the rest of the SCVAL soccer schedule, and even caused the postponement of Homestead's basketball games at Monta Vista, Cupertino coach John Graham apparently figured a sloppy, rain-soaked field might help his side slow down the Firebirds, who rowed into the game on a five-game winning streak.

The strategy worked, sort of. The Firebirds did get cold, wet and muddy, but their feathers remained unruffled. Cupertino scored first, but lost the match 4-2.

Senior Jon Buzawa gave Cupertino a 1-0 lead midway through the first half, turning a pass from senior Cameron Ferrick into his division-leading 14th goal of the season.

The goal ended Fremont's five-game, shutout streak, but it did not stop the Firebirds from capturing their sixth straight win. The Firebirds led 4-1 before Cupertino senior Thorin Duffin scored with three minutes left in the game.

Fremont, seeking its first trip to the Central Coast Section playoffs since 2003, improved to 8-1-1 in El Camino play and 9-5-2 overall. With 25 points, the Firebirds entered this week's play nine points ahead of Cupertino (5-3-1, 16).

Fremont's rise to the top of the El Camino Division began with its only division loss, 3-2 at home to Cupertino on Dec. 21, as Buzawa scored a hat trick for the Pioneers. After the holiday break, the Firebirds scored shutouts against Mountain View, Wilcox, Monta Vista, Homestead and Lynbrook, prior to the 4-2 win at Cupertino.

In games on Jan. 23, Cupertino edged Wilcox 2-1 and Monta Vista dumped Homestead 4-2. Buzawa and junior Ben Lui scored goals for the Pioneers, with Duffin assisting on both.

Junior Nadav Caspi drilled a pair of goals to pace Monta Vista's win. Junior Florian Winkler added a goal and an assist. Sophomore Michael Pegueros and senior Evan Harris scored for Homestead and freshman Luis Martinez had an assist.

Girls soccer

In the De Anza Division, Homestead and Monta Vista played to a 1-1 tie on Jan. 23, the second time the teams played to a draw. Sarah Trankle scored in the first half for the Matadors, off of an assist by Jennifer LeQueiu. Mustang Katie Phan tied it up in the second half, with an assist from Diana Charrier.

In El Camino play, Wilcox (5-3-1, 16) and Cupertino (4-0-4, 16) remained in a tie for first place after the teams battled to a 1-1 tie. Danielle Matthews scored 'Tino's goal, after receiving a 40-yard lofted ball from sweeper Katie Boyle.

Boys basketball

Although its play was about as ugly as the weather, first-place Cupertino (6-1, 18-4 overall) started another winning streak on Jan. 25. A week after an eight-game win string was cut by Saratoga, the Pioneers topped visiting Los Gatos 44-39.

While rain and wind stormed outside, balanced scoring by Brian Ly (12 points), Kevin Lew (10), Mike Carson (nine) and Blake Warren (seven) helped 'Tino overcome 18 turnovers and 8 for 27 foul shooting and drop the Wildcats (3-4, 14-7) into a fourth-place tie with Saratoga.

Ly, a 5-foot-8 senior, made his share of turnovers (five) against Los Gatos, but sparked the Pioneers with six rebounds, four steals and three assists. Carson grabbed six rebounds and blocked four shots, while Warren snared five rebounds and made five steals. Sean Brinkerhoff added four points and four assists for the Pioneers. J.D. Deborba only scored two points, but he dished out five assists.

Mats' roof springs leak

At least Cupertino was able to play its game. A leaky roof at the Matadors' gym caused postponement of last Friday night's scheduled boys/girls double-header with Homestead, until Feb. 4, according to Monta Vista athletic director Brian Sullivan.

Earlier in the week, Monta Vista fell to 4-2 in the El Camino Division standings when it lost 59-46 to division leader Los Altos (5-1).

Meanwhile Jeff Whitford scored 17, but Homestead (3-3) lost 52-37 at Lynbrook. Senior center Andy Meunier (20 points) and juniors Jon Chang (15) and Steven Sanders (12) paced the Vikings, who improved to 5-2 two nights later with a 76-51 triumph at Wilcox.

Sanders pumped in 23, Meunier 21 and Emre Titizer 13 against the Chargers. Lynbrook finished the week with a 15-7 overall record.

In El Camino girls play, Monta Vista (3-3) ran away from Los Altos 61-34 after a halftime tie. Junior Zoe Booke's 14 points and Allena Sommer's 12 led the way.

Emily Blazensky's 12 points could not keep Homestead (2-4) from dropping a 54-26 decision at Lynbrook. Diana Lee scored 15 for the Vikings.

Lynbrook (4-3) almost added a win against unbeaten division leader Saratoga (6-0). The Vikings led by five points after three quarters, but Saratoga rallied for a 49-42 win. Sophomore Sharon Hao tallied 13 points for Lynbrook, while Lee and freshman Jordan Day scored 11 each.

Cupertino (1-6) dropped a tough, 39-35 contest to Los Altos (2-5). The Pioneers picked up their only division win on Jan. 11, 47-45 at Homestead. Senior Victoria Wu and junior Tiffany Wang sparked the win.