Boys Varsity Soccer Look Forward to Playoffs After EYL Season

The Redwood Rangers Boys Varsity Soccer team have finished their EYL season and are now looking forward to playoffs. Three players share their thoughts on their second-half EYL performances and their mindset for playoffs.

By: Lucas de Lima

The Redwood Rangers finished their first half of East Yosemite Leage (EYL) play with two wins, two draws, and a loss in their first five games.

Their first game of the second half of EYL was a home fixture against the Porterville Panthers. The Rangers drew 0-0 in Porterville to start the EYL season back on January 7th, and the result was the same this time around on January 23rd, another 0-0 draw.

On their second scoreless draw against Porterville this season, #23 Tanner Hutchings, ’25, says, “That game we held up against them the whole time. We really played our hardest, but we just couldn’t finish in the final half, but it was a great game all in all. [There] was room for improvement.”

Their next game was on Wednesday, January 29th, at home against the Monache Marauders. The first match against Monache was a 2-1 win in Porterville, but this time around the Rangers won in a much more convincing fashion, completing the season sweep of the Marauders with a 4-0 triumph.

The four goals were socred by #17 Ayden Carpenter, ’25, #4 Barack Reyes, ’27, #14 Cole Fontes, ’25, and #11 Devin Calvo, ’27. They were assisted by #16 Adam Seechan, ’25, #28 Chase Saesee, ’27, and Hutchings.

#3 Josgar Guerrero, ’27, says, “That game was good. We were passing the ball more around, and we would finish our chances. We were good defensively, we didn’t let them score. So that made us get the win 4-0.”

The following game was a much anticipated rematch at the Golden West Trailblazers, on Friday, January 31st. The heated match ended in a 2-1 loss, the Rangers second 2-1 loss to the Trailblazers this season.

The goal against Golden West was scored by Saesee and assisted by #19 Ulysses Garcia, ’25.

#17 Ayden Carpenter, ’25, said, “First half we dominated, I mean they didn’t even touch the ball. We got our first goal quickly, [and] we kept moving the ball. Second half came around, made some substitutions, and the refs you know, weren’t on our side, and then two good goals and we lost the game. I can’t really say much about that,” said Ayden Carpenter, ’25, on the game against Golden West.

Redwood turned it around with a comfortable 3-0 win away at the El Diamante Miners on Tuesday, February 4th. This was the Rangers second shutout win over the Miners this season, the first time being a 2-0 win at home on Friday, January 17th.

The goals against the Miners were scored by Guerrero, Calvo, and a penalty kick from #12 Hunter Vargas, ’27. They were assisted by #10 Justin Jimenez, ’25, and #21 Adam Judson, ’25.

“That was one of our games that we really had to fight for in the first half. Us against El D is a big rivalry, so that game meant a lot to all of us,” said Hutchings.

The final game of the 2025 EYL season was a comfortable 3-0 win over the Mt. Whitney Pioneers on a celebretory Senior Night. All 10 seniors started the game, with Guerrero being the lone non-senior starter. All 3 goals were scored in the first half, all prompted by the seniors.

The goals were scored by Judson, Fontes, and Carpenter. They were assisted by Fontes, Seechan, and #7 Sergio Flores, ’25.

On the game itself, Guerrero says, “[That] game was fun, it was Senior Night, so all the seniors started, which made it fun. They got all the goals, and it was a nice moment. They finished their chances, so that was good.”

On being the only non-senior starter Guerrero said, “It felt amazing, because [it was] one last time playing [at] home with all my senior brothers, and being the only sophomore there felt nice.”

The pregame Senior Night celebrations were an unforgettable moment for the seniors and their parents alike.

On the Senior Night festivities, Carpenter said, “It was amazing. [The] crowd [was] cheering. How they tell you about your accomplishments, I loved it. The gifts were awesome. I’m going to miss these boys.”

The Rangers would finished the EYL Season with a record of five wins, three draws, and two losses, good enough for a third place finish. The Trailblazers would end up winning the 2025 EYL title, with the Panthers coming in second place.

Goalkeepers #0 Kameron Konishi, ’25, and #1 Cutler Griswold, ’26, helped to keep six clean sheets during EYL play.

Now all the focus turns to the first round of the Division II Central Section playoffs. Redwood, as the #5 seed, will host the #12 seeded Roosevelt Rough Riders at the Mineral King Bowl at 6PM on Friday, February 14th. Tickets will need to be purchased on GoFan.

Hutchings says, “Our mindset going into playoffs is to play each game like it’s our last, and to play our hearts out every single time.”

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