SALINAS, CA - Mitty senior Mica Sinko scored the decisive penalty kick in the fifth round of the shootout to help the Monarchs advance to the CCS Division 2 finals. The Monarchs will take on Menlo School Saturday.
In a tight, tense game neither team found a breakthrough on a chilly, windy night in Salinas. With the wind favoring Alvarez in the first half they pushed early on and put the Monarchs on their heels the first twenty minutes of the half, including two key early saves from Monarch GK Angel Rojero. Mitty was able to settle down in the remainder of the half as they finally were able to maintain a little bit of possession, with the best chance of the first half falling to Mitty senior Owen Byrnes whose shot was just off target.
With the wind favoring the Monarchs in the second half Mitty pressed early on but could not break a strong Alvarez back line. Alvarez found some success early on in overtime with possession in the middle of the field, however it could not translate into dangerous chances. When it got to penalty kicks, it was the Monarchs who kept their cool with Sinko, Brynes, Andre Thurman and Ivan Orlovic all scoring for the Monarchs with Rojero preventing two Alvarez attempts.
"This is a very difficult place to come and play, Alvarez is very good and very well coached" said Mitty coach Cesar Sanchez. "I thought for the most part throughout the game we were composed and kept our cool, especially in the shootout. We are excited to play for another CCS championship."
Mitty will for its sixth overall CCS championship in men's soccer, including its third under Sanchez.
