MARTY JAMES

martyjames.sports@gmail.com

As his team made its way to the bench area before Tuesday's season opener, head coach Rogelio Ochoa took time to talk about the style of play that he was looking for from the Napa Valley College men's soccer team this fall, the starting lineup, and a nonconference schedule of opponents that will provide a major test for the Storm.

"We have a good group," said Ochoa. "We can have combinations going in and out. It's making sure that we're strong all game long, with a variety of ways that we can attack and we can defend.

"We're very confident it's going to be a big challenge with a tough opponent like Skyline. It's going to be a very challenging game today, a very physical game. They are going to be a tough, physical, fast, tall opponent. So, we have to make sure that we can match that.

"You hit the ground running, and so it should be a good one today. The boys know to keep the ball on the ground as much as we possibly can."

Napa Valley started out fast, with crisp, sharp play, with an attacking game and solid defense, and with great energy. The Storm also scored the first goal of the game, bringing a ton of excitement on both the field and sideline for Napa Valley.

"We did well. I'm happy with what we're doing and where we are at," said Ochoa. "The guys pushed, the guys fought, the guys are playing well. The guys had an identity. We're fit, we're strong. We can compete with anyone. And I think today shows that.

"Hopefully, we can get positive results that reflect that as well."

Napa Valley lost its opener at home, falling 2-1 to Skyline College-San Bruno.

It's the first of eight nonconference matches for the Storm, which will start the Bay Valley Conference season in late September.

Temperatures were right around the 80-degree mark with sunny and breezy conditions. The match started at 4:07 p.m.

The Storm's captains are Sergio Hernandez, Adrien Ceja and Alberto Martinez Hernandez.

Hernandez, a midfielder/defender, is one of six returning players for the Storm and was named All-Bay Valley Conference second-team last year. "The more we play our style and our brand, the more success we can get. Try to keep possession. Try to keep the ball as much as we can, and make sure that we try to win 50-50s, those moments that we have to win," said Ochoa.

Sergio Hernandez, a winger, scored the Storm's goal from 18 yards out at the nine-minute mark of the first half. The assist was credited to Jovani Jimenez, who is also a winger.

Napa Valley was behind at halftime, 2-1, but found a rhythm in the second half, surging back with an up-tempo pace and momentum.

"We were becoming very dangerous in spaces, in the right areas," said Ochoa.

Napa Valley got solid all-around play from its goal keeper, Cadel Newton-Knotch, who made an outstanding save on a penalty kick attempt in the second half, as well as making eight other saves during the game.

Newton-Knotch was very active and vocal, taking charge with standout play and leadership.

"He has a big presence in the back line. He's comfortable with the ball. He's always supporting the team. We're really very lucky to have him," said Ochoa.

"He came up with big saves today. You can tell he has that experience."

Skyline scored both of its goals in the first half.

Josh Pereda scored the first goal on a corner kick at the 22-minute mark.

"It was a great goal. You don't see too many of those. It goes straight in right from the corner, and it got us on the board and tied the game," Skyline coach Gabe Saucedo said. "So, I think it helped change the momentum in the game. I thought it was a big goal for us.

"It was a tough contest. I think just on both sides, it was really physical."

Skyline's second goal came on a penalty kick as Beto Fernandez scored at the 32-minute mark.

"We had a good understanding of what we were doing with the ball, and then we kind of allowed the opponent to press a little bit, and we allowed ourselves to get back on our own third for moments, and it cost us mistakes, and that's how they scored, was on our mistakes," said Ochoa.

"So, again, we've got to learn from those mistakes and try to continue going forward and avoid that, because I think a high percentage of the chances were our mistakes."

The Storm continues its season on Friday, August 29 at home in a nonconference match against Modesto Junior College at 4 p.m.

"I'm looking forward to our next game. Hopefully, this will help us propel and have that belief and that confidence going forward," said Ochoa.

Napa Valley has nonconference matches against City College of San Francisco (Sept. 5), College of the Redwoods-Eureka (Sept. 9), Foothill College-Los Altos Hills (Sept. 12), Ohlone College-Fremont (Sept. 16), Evergreen Valley College-San Jose (Sept. 19), and Santa Rosa Junior College (Sept. 26).

Napa Valley (5-11-4 overall, 5-4-3 Bay Valley Conference) ended last year's season with two straight wins and finished in fourth place in the league standings.

* Marty James is a freelance writer who makes his home in Napa. He retired on June 4, 2019 after spending 40 years as a sports writer, sports editor and executive sports editor for the Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa County. He is a 1979 graduate of Sacramento State and a member of the California Golf Writers & Broadcasters Association. He was inducted into the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Hall of Fame in 2016, the Vintage High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.