Photo: The Mercury News
In a thrilling North Coast Section Division I championship match, Dougherty Valley secured its first-ever section title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over powerhouse De La Salle. The game was a battle of contrasting styles, with Dougherty Valley relying on quick, precise passing and De La Salle emphasizing size and set pieces. Senior goalkeeper Atharv Kundur played a crucial role in defending against relentless Spartan attacks, ultimately helping the Wildcats make history.
The pivotal moment came in the 68th minute when senior Emmanuel Silvera extended Dougherty’s lead to 2-0, a goal that proved vital after De La Salle converted a penalty kick just minutes later. Despite a late push from the 14-time champions, Dougherty Valley held firm to claim the win. Coach Bijan Sadeghy praised his squad's resilience, while goalkeeper Kundur summed up the significance of the moment: “This is so special.”
Share this post