25 Feb Oilers Soccer Gets Shut Out, Exits NCS Tournament in First Round Upset

A Richmond High Oiler reaches to console a teammate following their season-ending loss in the opening round of the North Coast Section Division I tournament.

Story and photos by Joe Porrello

Richmond High lost 2-0 Feb. 19 at home to Alameda High, ending their varsity soccer season in the first round of the North Coast Section Division I tournament and snapping a 15-game unbeaten streak.

The Oilers, who finished with two overall losses and undefeated against TCAL-Rock opponents, won the league tournament in overtime during their last game against Albany High.

That win earned them a five-seed in the NCSDI field. But they were upset by a 12th-seeded Hornets team that finished first and unbeaten in the West Alameda County Shoreline league and had not allowed a goal in three games.

 

It was the first time Alameda beat Richmond High in over two decades; over their previous nine games, the Oilers had outscored the Hornets 26-3.

In each half, a sophomore scored an unassisted goal to lift the Hornets — a team with 15 seniors — to their fourth consecutive shutout. 

“We made two big defensive mistakes on the goals and that’s all it takes,” said Rene Siles, the Oilers head coach of 25 years.

Alameda got the first shot on goal 10 minutes in. About two minutes later, Hornets sophomore Weslesy Butterfield rifled a shot that skimmed across the turf into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 1-0.

 

Despite missing 15 games, Butterfield is second in team scoring with nine goals in just seven matchups.

Alameda High was given the only card of the game when they were hit with a yellow in the 20th minute. Richmond High’s ensuing free kick produced their first and best scoring chance of the game, but Hornets junior goalie Maxwell Fry punched the line drive kick off course.

Failing to keep possession most of the first half, Richmond High started attacking late but could not cash in.

“We had some chances tonight,” said Siles. “I think if we were more insistent the results would be different.”

 

In the second half, both teams came out more aggressive, and the Oilers again came up short on two free kicks.

 

Alameda’s Jayson Wu halted Richmond’s offensive momentum, putting another low shot into the bottom left corner with just 12 minutes to go.

Siles says he wants the team to focus on what they accomplished.

“We have a really young team. Most of them will be back next season,” he said. “I think this is a good experience for them. It’s just too bad for the seniors we do have.”

Lacking physicality against older teams —  like Alameda with triple the seniors — has been a problem all year for the Oilers, according to their head coach. 

 

 

Siles also attributed the Oilers struggles to moving up from Division III of the NCS to Division I this year. Their previous two losses came against teams ranked in the top 80 statewide, while Richmond High is No. 92.

Despite the early exit, the Oilers will retain most of their roster, losing just five seniors. With a chance to build on their success, they aim for their 19th winning season in 20 years, alongside their sixth consecutive league title.

 

Alameda High’s own season finished Saturday the same way they ended Richmond’s: in a 2-0 shutout, courtesy of No. 24 Clayton Valley Charter.