DANVILLE - In the semifinal round of the North Coast Section Division 1 girls soccer playoffs, five-seed San Ramon Valley upset top-seed and nationally-ranked Monte Vista, 1-0, off an unstoppable free kick by senior Kylie Kerr in the 32nd minute of the game.
The game had all the makings of a David and Goliath game, as Monte Vista had 12 shots on goal while San Ramon Valley only had three shots total the entire game, and there was one period in the first half where Monte Vista kept the ball in San Ramon Valley’s half for eight straight minutes.
San Ramon Valley’s coach Mark Jones had an excellent defensive strategy that added more players to the back lines as the game went on.
“We would drop in one of our outside mids,” Jones all talked about his back line. “Its more of a four back and then it turns into a five back when we are retreating.”
Although the team gave up 12 shots on goal in the game they also blocked a high volume of shots with seven blocked shots in the first half alone. When the ball did get through, freshman goalkeeper Kailey Kimball was unbeatable, making three game-winning saves in the last 15 minutes of the game alone.
“It was really exciting but really nerve racking because I knew that if I let up a little bit it would have gone in,” Kimball said about the big saves she had at the end of the game. “Overall, it was super exciting that I made those saves.”
Kerr, who plays center defender for San Ramon Valley, helped to keep the clean sheet and the defense disciplined. Aside from scoring the game's only goal, Kerr also had four of the seven first half blocks and continued to support the attack by getting up the field. Kerr has scored two goals in the last two games, arguably two of the biggest games of her high school career.
San Ramon Valley advances to the NCS Division 1 final to play Carondelet. The last time San Ramon Valley advanced to the NCS Division 1 final was when Kerr was a freshman. That time, San Ramon Valley beat Monte Vista in the semi finals and then also went on to beat Carondelet 1-0 to win the NCS championship.
This game story was contributed by former College Park head boys soccer coach Jeremy Bedig, who currently coaches for Contra Costa FC and Mustang Soccer League
