Boy Soccer: Sanchez Goal Takes Clayton Valley to Semifinals

No. 6 Clayton Valley 1,  No. 14 Richmond 0

With a relentless rain drenching the players, walked off its soggy pitch Saturday night headed somewhere it hasn't been in a long time — the semifinals.

Kevin Sanchez scored the match's only goal in the 27th minute and the Eagles held on for dear life in the final minutes to beat Richmond 1-0 in the North Coast Section second round.

Now, just two wins away from an NCS championship, the Eagles will travel to play No. 2 Newark Memorial on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

It wasn't the most well played match, with the rain and slick surface making passing difficult, but when Sanchez had his chance to give the Eagles the lead he took it.

Austin Gamm dribbled the ball in to the box and with defenders and the goalie coming out to challenge the ball squirted away to Sanchez and the junior fired the ball in the net.

"That's what he does, he is a true striker," Clayton Valley coach Rory Gentry said about Sanchez. "He is a great player."

Once Clayton Valley got the lead it was the defense's job to secure the shutout.

Richmond had a majority of the possession in the second half, but few chances from open play. Center back Christian Pedraza and defensive midfielders Joshua Gomez and Sam Marchant clogged the middle of the field, not allowing Richmond's attacking player to get through on goal.

I think the defense played well," Pedraza said. "We knew they were going to move the ball around a lot so we just stayed in our zones. We had a game plan and we followed it."

With the final seconds ticking away, Richmond had two free kick opportunities from dangerous positions.

The first came in the 79th minute and from 20 yards out the direct free kick tested keeper Ryan Phillips but he was able to parry the ball over the crossbar.

Then, in the final seconds, Richmond was awarded another free kick at the edge of the penalty area but the shot went wide left.

"It feels great (to be in the semifinals)," Pedraza said. "We're just taking it one step at a time and looking to make it to the championship."