Encinal High School (EHS) men’s soccer lost, 4-0, to rival Alameda High School (AHS) on Dec. 10. on Willie Stargell Field.

“It was a disappointing loss for the team, we are a solid team together but when we focus on ourselves and not as a team it can’t work,” said sophomore Finn Little.

The Hornets led, 1-0, at halftime. However, injuries to two crucial EHS strikers put the Jets in a hole they couldn’t climb out of.

“The game was going good (until) our strikers got injured and because of that, we didn’t have a main piece of attack to pass to,” said sophomore Sarad Thapa.

Thapa suffered a serious ankle sprain and will be out at least two months. Senior Daniel Garcia tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

“It’s not all negatives,” said junior Kiebron Russom. “We learned a lot from yesterday’s game and hopefully we can change the next one in a couple of weeks.”

AHS juniors Caleb Garza and Anar Tulgaa scored two goals apiece in the matchup.

The Jets’ record moved to 0-2-1, while the Hornets are 3-1-1 after a 5-0 win over Kennedy High of Fremont. The Jets and Hornets square off for the second leg of the Island Cup on Feb. 1.

The Hornets will play San Lorenzo High School on Friday, while the Jets will take on Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland on Jan. 5.