SAN JOSE, CA - Senior Timmy Rast scored halfway through the first half of a free kick header in Archbishop Mitty's 2-1 victory over its rival Bellarmine, which ended up being the game winner for the Monarchs and hand its rival its first loss
It was Mitty (6-1-2, 2-1-2), in much need of a win, on the front foot early. After a couple of early chances it was a midfield clear from Rast which found the ball at the top of Bellarmine's box. A mixup in clearance by Bellarmine left Mitty junior Nicholas Coldiron with an open net for his team leading eighth goal in the thirtieth minute. Ten minutes later it was Rast who found the back of the net off a free kick from fellow captain Victor Diaz off a towering header.
Bellarmine (7-1-2, 3-1) finally found itself creating some real opportunities towards the end of the first half. However, it was a penalty that got Bellarmine truly back into the game with one minute left in the half. Senior Jahan Seifollahi not only created the penalty, but scored it as well.
The second half started with the Monarchs nearly doubling its lead, save for a goal line clearance from Bellarmine standout captain Tate Hackett. With the game going back and forth it was Bellarmine who naturally had to push bodies forward in order to try and salvage a point. The Monarch defense held strong, lead by Rast, Diaz and Tyler Stevenson kept Bellarmine at bay with sophomore goalkeeper Nate Dean making some clutch saves, despite some strong play by Bellarmine's Gabi Martinez and Uriel Martinez.
"We desperately needed a win after the last couple of games." Mitty head coach Cesar Sanchez said. "We've played well all year minus mental mistakes late in games. To see be able to hold the lead in the second half, especially against a team as good as Bellarmine tells me we can play with anybody."
Despite the loss Bellarmine still finds itself in a good position in the league standings, only four points behind leader Sacred Heart Cathedral with a game in hand. The Bells will play that game in Monday against St. Francis, which will be followed up by a home games with Valley Christian and Sacred Heart Cathedral.
