Four years of pent-up frustration was released in a ferocious offensive attack last Thursday night as the Malibu High boys soccer team thoroughly dominated St. Genevieve, 6-0, to win its first CIF playoff game since 2010.
“The boys were in the mood. All game long we were pushing forward looking to create chances,” Malibu coach Julian Wright said. “I thought we did very well also in defending this team. St. Genevieve has a potent attack. But our team performed well today. This was one step and we have a ways to go. I’m very proud of the boys.”
As of press time, the Sharks were slated to play the No. 1 team in Division IV, Cathedral High School, this past Tuesday with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Looking forward to the match against the Phantoms of Cathedral (22-1-1), Wright is hoping for more of the same.
“This is what we want. A lot of teams back away from chances like this,” said Wright. “This is exactly what we are hoping for. A chance to prove ourselves and a chance to test ourselves against the very best.”
From the opening whistle and throughout the 80-minute match last week, Malibu (14-4-4) imposed its will on the Valiants (13-4-1), the second-place team from the Santa Fe League.
After squandering multiple opportunities in the early going, the Sharks finally cashed in at the 27:32 mark of the first half. Ari Taublieb fired a direct kick from 20 yards out that curled around the defense and into the far corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead.
Malibu kept applying relentless pressure offensively in hopes of wear- ing down the Valiants. Jake Gooden narrowly missed a goal off a header with 10 minutes left until halftime.
Moments later, Jake’s twin brother Jonah Gooden redirected a free ball with a nice header into the lap of Tyler Savitsky, who slid a shot pass St. Genevieve goalie Diego Guerra.
With less than five minutes remain- ing in the half, the Sharks struck again when Ethan Flor’s accurate pass found Savitsky on a breakaway and the finish to put Malibu up 3-0 at the break.
“It was definitely about the first half,” Flor said. “Coach said to go out there and strike first. Getting the first goal was everything. We got the first goal, won the first half and won the game.”
The toll Malibu’s quickness and technical skill took on St. Genevieve was manifested in 12 shots on goal during the first 40 minutes of action; in the second, the onslaught would only continue with strikes from Jake Gooden, Jonah Gooden and Nick Wiseman completing a resounding victory.
The Sharks outshot St. Genevieve, 19-5, and in corner kicks, 5-1. Add it all up and the six-goal shutout victory demonstrated the strong balance of Malibu’s offensive and defensive capabilities.
“I thought we had a solid overall performance. Personally, to score two goals as a forward, you are happy with that,” Savitsky said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on a team as hungry as this one. We have 10-plus seniors all looking forward to winning a championship.”
The win was especially gratifying for many members of the team who experienced disappointment the past two seasons—both ended with losses in the wild card round.
“We remembered the last two years so we came out and played our hardest. We did the job,” junior goalkeeper Max Watkin said. “Now we want a shot at the top dog and see what we can do.”
MHS girls soccer, water polo, boys basketball fall in playoffs
In other playoff action, the MHS girls soccer team suffered a tough loss in a penalty shootout to Flintridge Prep. Tied 2-2 at the conclusion of regulation, the Sharks converted one penalty shot out of five while the Rebels made two to advance in Division III.
The girls soccer team finished 15-9-1 on the season, and 7-4-2 in Tri-Valley League play, coming in third in the league behind Oak Park and Oaks Christian.
The Sharks girls water polo squad was knocked out by La Quinta, 9-3, in a Division VI wild card matchup. The girls finished 10-13 on the year and third in the Tri-Valley League, in a down year as their string of seven consecutive TVL titles came to an end.
The boys basketball team ended the season falling at the hands of St. Anthony, 88-42, in a first-round playoff matchup in Long Beach. Senior Justin Holmes led the Sharks with 22 points in his final game for Malibu, while sophomore Frankie McGovern added 12, all from behind the arc. The Sharks finished 8-20 on the season and 1-9 in the Tri-Valley League.