Despite an impressive display of depth and talent for the WACC-Foothill champion Berkeley Yellowjackets, opponents all year knew the one name they had to stop on the pitch, a task which more often than not proved near impossible with senior Kalani Kossa-Rienzi.

The Washington-bound Kossa-Rienzi led Berkeley to a section title as a junior, when he compiled 25 goals and 18 assists. The Yellowjackets lost the three leading scorers below him to graduation after the 2019 campaign, and five of the next six leading scorers, but came together following a mid-January loss to Bishop O’Dowd, despite a tumultuous time on campus which included student protests and the team’s decision to forfeit its second meeting against the Dragons amid unrest and heightened emotions.

The Yellowjackets’ roster wouldn’t look the same for the remainder of the season, as several players opted not to finish the season, according to coach Andre Hebert. Berkeley, however, dominated the rest of its league schedule to hang another banner, and the ‘Jackets carried that momentum into the post-season, downing Freedom, San Ramon Valley and De La Salle to reach yet another section title game.

Throughout the post-season run, the well-rounded midfielder led the attack for Berkeley, notching a pair of assists in the win over Freedom and then a key goal during the 3-2 quarterfinal win over San Ramon Valley. The semifinals featured a rematch with De La Salle, whom Berkeley beat 4-1 for the title in 2019, a match in which Kossa-Rienzi had a memorable brace. With plenty of attention from the Spartans’ defense, Kossa-Rienzi might not have scored, but he played a key role in controlling the outcome in a 1-0 victory, an outcome which suited Berkeley’s possession-heavy defensive style just fine and displayed Kossa-Rienzi’s wide range of talents.

“He plays both sides of the ball and has such a high soccer IQ,” Hebert said. “He is fast, plays direct when it is needed and is an excellent teammate in so many ways.”

It was the third time in the last four seasons that Berkeley had beaten De La Salle during the playoffs, and also sent the Yellowjackets to the championship for the third time in that same stretch.

Unlike the previous two trips to the title game, when Berkeley beat De La Salle in 2017 and 2019, this time they faced a Montgomery team which the Yellowjackets had beaten in the NorCal regional playoffs. The Vikings, however, had handled Berkeley during the second half in an early January non-league match, a 4-1 loss in which Kossa-Rienzi had the only goal for the ‘Jackets. The title match, however, would be much closer as Kossa-Rienzi tied things before halftime, although Montgomery would create separation late in the second half and hold on for the 3-2 victory.

Despite the loss in the title game, the final tally for Kossa-Rienzi gave him 10 goals and 14 assists for the year. Over the final two years of his high school career, he finished with 35 goals and 32 assists, not to mention two trips to the section title and a pair of appearances in the NorCal regional playoffs. Now, he takes his immense talents to the Pac-12.

“Kalani is one of the best I have ever seen here, and he will do great at the next level,” Hebert stated. “In addition to his ability and effort on the field, he has excellent grades and is one of the nicest kids I have ever met.”

For his efforts this past season, we are pleased to recognize Kalani Kossa-Rienzi as the Prep2Prep North Coast Section Senior of the Year.

Other players considered include Montgomery’s Kevin Welch, St. Mary's' Wyatt Meyer and Terra Linda’s Ruthwick Tallagonda.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of NCS soccer.