The562’s coverage of high school soccer is sponsored by Long Beach FC.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Grayson Gilmore answered the call for Wilson boys’ soccer in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 5 playoffs on Friday against visiting Hueneme.
After an exhausting 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Bruins had their backs against a wall in the penalty kick shootout when they missed the fifth kick attempt.
“After my teammate missed (his PK) I realized I had to save this one,” the goalkeeper Gilmore said. “I had to focus up and make sure I made the save.”
Gilmore did exactly that to keep his team alive, and then dove to make to another save on Hueneme’s next attempt to survive and advance 5-4 on PKs.
“Just knowing that you worked so hard to be there and it’s up to you,” Gilmore said of the PK pressure. “It’s your time to shine and you have to perform at that moment.”
Gilmore popped up after making the game-winning save and immediately ran to the stands to celebrate with the fans.
“It’s a great feeling being able to celebrate all the hard work you’ve done and to be able to celebrate with the fans who come out here and support us,” he said.
Wilson (10-7-6) has a quick turnaround and hosts Mountain View (13-6-4) today at 5 p.m. The playoff opener was supposed to be played Thursday night, but was postponed due to the rain storm and standing water on the field.
“There were a lot of factors that could’ve caused us to screw this up,” Wilson coach CJ Brewer said. “We made sure we navigated it the right way, making it safe for the players and playing today.”
The Bruins have leaned on their stingy defense all season so nothing changed in the postseason. They only allowed Hueneme to get off five shots in the second half and both 10 minute overtime periods. Gilmore made five saves in the clean sheet performance. This is Wilson’s 12th shutout of the season.
“Today we continued to play our card and that’s defense,” Brewer said. “We’re just waiting for that moment to score, and it just didn’t happen, but we still have a great goalkeeper and relied on him and I think that championships are won with good defense. We’re just going to continue to do that.”
The postponement avoided the rain, but strong winds certainly affected the match. Hueneme started on the front foot with the wind at its back in the first half. The Vikings enjoyed the lion’s share of possession while outshooting Wilson 6-3 in the opening 40 minutes.
Wilson was able to turn the tables in the second half with the wind advantage, but could only muster a pair of scoring opportunities that missed the target.
“Going forward is an issue,” Brewer said. “I think we’re a little panicked. We need to relax and just put that ball on frame.”
While the offense sputtered, the Wilson defense held strong.
“Being under pressure a lot throughout this year really helped us be composed during this game and be ready for any change that might happen,” Gilmore said.
A 55th minute scuffle near the Hueneme bench resulted in a red card for each side. That left both teams playing with 10 men for the remainder and opened up the action in overtime. There were two moments late when both teams got out on the counter attack only to have last ditch defending spoil golden goal opportunities.
As both teams chose their penalty kick takers for the shootout there was a palpable air of confidence on the Wilson sideline. Brewer said that comes from experience and Gilmore.
“The team knows that we’re always okay in those moments where you need (Gilmore), he’s going to come through for you,” Brewer said. “He’s done that time and time again for us this whole season. Teams struggle to score against us because of our great defense but that starts with Grayson.”
Wilson’s Ryusei Mogi, Andres Martinez, Casey Pettyjohn and Fernando Martinez converted their PKs while Hueneme answered each one. When Hueneme goalkeeper Rafael Gutierrez made a save on the fifth attempt by Wilson’s Lio Rodriguez, the Vikings just needed one more goal to advance.
Gilmore hadn’t been close to making a save up to that point, but knew what he needed to adjust.
“A lot of times I catch myself guessing, maybe I was a bit nervous,” Gilmore said. “But I’m definitely a read and react guy (during PK shootouts) and I felt that. So I calmed down a little bit. I got myself under control.”
Gilmore dove to his right to make the game-saving stop, and then after Yair Gonzalez confidently drilled his PK attempt to give Wilson the lead, Gilmore read the next Hueneme attempt perfectly.
“His hips opened to the right and (I saw) his plant foot, so I had to go to my left,” Gilmore said of his diving game-winning save that set off the celebration.
“Long Beach is full of great athletes like Grayson and the other players on this team,” Brewer said. “Long Beach is doing big things in all the sports, so it’s Long Beach versus everybody.”
Wilson, Long Beach Poly and Lakewood are all playing second round matches at home Saturday.
