By Emma Gonosey
Exec. Sports Editor
Costa boys soccer won the championship during the South Torrance Holiday Tournament for the first time ever. The tournament took place from Dec. 21-23, where Costa played at West High School and South High School.
“It was surreal for sure,” said Costa varsity soccer captain Dylan Engels. “We took one game at a time to make sure we weren’t looking past the task at hand. To be able to make our own mark on history is the best feeling we could ask for.”
The team played a total of four games before moving on to the championship game. They played and defeated Buena High School, Banning High School, West High School, and Redondo Union. The championship game took place on Dec. 23, where Costa faced off against Palos Verdes High School.
“I feel like after our comeback against West, we really could push through any challenges,” senior Zachary Davis said. “I believed that the team with more heart would win that game, and I had no doubt that we had more heart.”
At the end of the championship game the score was tied, with both Costa and Palos Verdes scoring one goal. Overtime then started, but after two 10-minute halves went by with neither team scoring, the game then went into penalty kicks, where each team had four chances to score.
“I had full faith our guys would convert, and I had full faith in Jack [Walter] to block PV’s shots,” Davis said. “I knew going into penalties we would be able to walk away as winners.”
During the penalty kicks, the Mustangs scored all four of their kicks, with seniors Kyle Stepzyck, Diego Rodriguez-Borlado, Dylan Engels, and junior Mateo Cervantes shooting for Costa. PV only scored two kicks after senior goalie Walter was able to block their other two.
“Being the goalie, I feel like one of the leaders on the team–I have to be because I can see the whole field and need to talk to my defense,” Walter said. “I felt a little nervous in the final because of how annoying the PV crowd was, but I didn’t really let it affect me.”
According to Walter, the entire team was ecstatic to win the tournament because although its season started off slow, the team was able to leave the tournament with a big win.
“It felt amazing to win the South Tournament not only because it hadn’t been done before, but also because we were coming back from our first loss of the season the previous week,” Walter said. “We needed a bounce back from that in order to reassure our team that it was a fluke and we are capable of great things.”
The team captains, Stepzyck and Engels, were both named as top performers during the tournament. Engels was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with Walter and Calderone. Stepczyk was named as the varsity MVP for the entire tournament.
“[Being named a top player] was special because I haven’t had an honor like that before,” Engels said. “I know this may sound cliché, but I truly think that everyone on the team contributed equally to the win. We would not have been able to win the tournament without every person there, including alumni and Costa students who came to support us.”
According to Engels, this win has helped the Mustangs build their strength as a team and continue to improve team chemistry. According to Engels, the team is looking forward to competing in both Bay League and CIF later in their season.
“As a captain, you wait for the moment where the chemistry of the boys on the team starts to build, and throughout the tournament, the growth of the team as a group of friends was really impressive,” Engels said. “I am excited about what we are building this year, and I can’t wait to fight for a Bay League and CIF title with these boys.”
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