The Encinal High School (EHS) men’s soccer team entered their Jan. 28 match against Hayward High School burdened by a six-game losing streak. To make matters worse, the Farmers had defeated the Jets, 8-1, on Dec. 3, 2021.

“Really the only thing we wanted going into the game was revenge,” said EHS junior Sorel Richardson. “We wanted to show our improvement over the season.”

Encinal (1-7-1) did just that; beating Hayward, 3-2, on Willie Stargell Field.

“We knew we were the better team, so we lifted each other up and started controlling the game,” said Richardson, who scored a goal in the contest against the Farmers. “Then we went on to win with great performances from everybody, especially our substitutes.”

The win was an upset for the Jets. The Farmers entered the match as the fourth seed in the 10-team West Alameda County Conference Foothill League, while the Jets were tied for last place. The team’s league record improved to 1-6-1.

The Jets went down 1-0 and then 2-1. A goal by junior Kiebron Russom tied the game 2-2 before sophomore Eyoel Musie scored the winner for the Jets.

“It felt really good,” said Musie. “It was my first goal of the season and high school.”
The win was the third game in five days for EHS. Early season postponements have led to a condensed league schedule. EHS lost 4-0 to Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland on Jan. 24 and 4-0 to Castro Valley High School on Jan 26.​

“It was very important to know that we can win games if we combine together,” said sophomore Finn Little. “It is also very important knowing we have a very big game against Alameda High.”

EHS played Alameda High School (AHS) on Feb. 1.

The Hornets (6-5-3) have won two straight matches. AHS beat San Lorenzo High, 3-1, on Jan. 28 on the road. The team took down Mt. Eden High of Hayward, 1-0, the next day on Jan. 29 at home. AHS senior Sam Peterson scored the lone goal of the match in the second half.

The two victories came after the Hornets were on a three-game losing streak. They lost to Piedmont High School, 2-0, on Jan. 14; Hayward High School, 3-1, on Jan. 21; and Berkeley High School, 3-0, on Jan. 25.

Women’s Soccer
The EHS women’s soccer team beat Mt. Eden High in its last match, 4-1, on Jan. 27. The win improved their record to 5-2-1. They will face Rancho Cotate High of Rohnert Park in a non-league match on Saturday, Feb. 5, in its next contest.

The AHS women’s soccer team took down Arroyo High of San Lorenzo, 6-0, on Jan. 30. AHS’ record improved to 5-2-4. The Hornets scored three goals in both halves. The team was coming off a 1-1 tie to Berkeley High on Jan. 26. The team will play Bishop O’ Dowd on Senior Night on Friday, Feb. 4, at home on Thompson Field.