— Pacheco boys varsity soccer team wins twice
Knowing a repeat of a WAC championship was out of reach, the Pacheco varsity boys soccer team found itself playing for playoff seeding last week against Beyer and Grace Davis. On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Panthers (15-4-1 overall, 9-3-1 WAC) looked to avenge an earlier loss to Beyer.
Pacheco wasted no time finding the back of the net 5 times in the first half. Leading scorer Samuel Pinal scored twice, as did Jesse Gonzalez. Erick Ortega completed the scoring for the Panthers. Beyer scored twice in the second half, but it was too late as Pacheco won 5-2 and clinched another spot in the postseason.
Senior night followed on Thursday, Feb. 6, and the emotional high from Tuesday may have led to a slow start as the Panthers found themselves down 1-0 late into the game. A critical penalty kick and a late goal led to a thrilling 2-1 comeback win for Pacheco. The team finished their season on Feb. 11 at Livingston, to then await their playoff seeding.
— Pacheco varsity girls defeat Ceres with ‘magical’ comeback
Finding themselves sitting atop the WAC standings with Grace Davis, the Pacheco High School varsity girls basketball team (19-5 overall 10-2 WAC) entered a crucial game with Ceres last week. The host Bulldogs were just one game behind the Panthers and Spartans with four games to play.
When the two met at Pacheco High earlier this season, the Panthers erased a nine-point halftime deficit to beat Ceres.
Tuesday’s game started out like a heavyweight fight with the lead going back and forth. Ceres found its stride and eventually built up an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter. That’s when some Panther “magic” took place as they went on a 12-0 run to go from down 55-44 to winning 56-55.
The Pacheco offense was led by Sasha Siemiller (18 points), Sophomore Jeanette Ortiz had the hot hand early hitting 3 three-pointers on her way to 15 points. Mary Tava (12 points) and Nikki Nance (11 points) rounded out the scoring.
Following the team’s 45-42 win over Beyer on Thursday the Panthers will battle for first place against Grace Davis on senior night.
