Granite Bay soccer season comes to an end

Granite Bay's soccer team had an incredible task put in front of them in the first round of the CIF Nor-Cal Division I playoffs: find a way to beat Monte Vista. Despite being the higher seed, Granite Bay, seeded second, played host to the seventh seed Monte Vista, these Nor-Cal playoff games can go either way. The Mustangs were every bit as good as the Grizzlies, and on this day, they were better. Monte Vista scored a goal about midway through the second half and it held as the game's only goal, as the Grizzlies failed to score and lost the game, 1-0. "We played well from the defensive standpoint and showed a lot of grit against an incredibly talented team," Granite Bay coach Paul Valdez said. "We were down a couple of key starters due to injuries, as most teams this time of year are, and as a result had to shuffle some players around. We had a lot of guys step up, and we created several really good scoring chances in the second half with a 0-0 score, but we just couldn't put the ball in the back of the net. "If you let a good team like Monte Vista stay in the game, they are going to continue to create more chances and inevitably they were able to put one home. Connor Johnson, our goalkeeper, along with our back row did an incredible job most of the game, but one moment is all it takes to change an outcome." Despite the loss, it was a great season for the Grizzlies. "It was an incredible run this year considering many felt we would only finish as high as four in the SFL," Valdez said. "Placing second in league just behind Davis, which is quite possibly the top team in Northern California, is definitely something we can be proud of. Taking that a step further and winning Sections, then being placed in D-1 playoffs as the No. 2 seed will certainly set the bar high for next year. We are graduating only two seniors, so the team gained good experience and will most certainly be a top team in the region at any level next season."