By MARTY JAMES martyjames.sports@gmail.com
Coach Rogelio Ochoa calls Isai Mata, a freshman forward, a "workhorse" on the field for the Napa Valley College men's soccer team.
"He's out there putting in work, making the right runs, putting the right press," said Ochoa. "He's a soccer player that just likes the ball. He just likes to come out here and compete and it showed today."
Mata can also deliver in big moments, as he showed on Tuesday, as Napa Valley opened the Bay Valley Conference season at home. In a dramatic finish to a fast-paced game that was scoreless at halftime, Mata scored the winning goal at the 78th minute of the second half, lifting the Storm in a 1-0 victory over Mendocino College-Ukiah.
His teammates were not the only ones who celebrated with Mata. Following their fall session practice at Storm Field, players from the NVC baseball team also joined in on the celebration.
"Our baseball team came out. I do think they gave us a little burst when we needed it the most," said Ochoa.
It was the second win in a row for Napa Valley (3-5 overall), which again was stellar on defense, getting a superb game from Carl Osifo-Doe at goal keeper. Napa Valley won a fifth straight Bay Valley Conference title and advanced to the California Community College Athletic Association-Northern California Regional playoffs last year.
"I think players definitely had a fight in them and never gave up. We just couldn't put the goal in when we had a couple of clear chances in the first half," said Ochoa. "And then in the second half, I thought we brought the energy even higher, and we created more chances.
"It was a late goal. I definitely talked to them, to make sure that we stay focused, if it comes early or comes late. And the boys did exactly that. They kept the pressure and Mata made a great goal."
Temperatures were in the mid-70s with sunny and breezy conditions. The game ended at 6:01 p.m.
Mata's goal, a shot taken from the edge of the box on the right side, was an absolute thing of beauty, as it came on a breakaway. The assist went to Israel Luevano, a freshman midfielder.
"The defender missed the ball, trying to kick it out, and then I just instantly ran to the ball," said Mata. "I got extremely scared once I shot the ball and I let it go off my foot. I thought I was going to miss. And it just went in."
It was the Storm's second shutout of the 2023 fall season. They played one of the toughest nonconference schedules of anyone in Northern California.
"We just started the season. We're just getting used to each other, how we play and all that," said Mata.
Cheers erupted from two areas on the field – NVC's sideline area and where the baseball team was standing and watching from – when Mata connected.
"The defender had a clear shot to kick it out. And he just missed it. I thought I missed the shot. But once I saw (the baseball team), I was just like, oh my gosh, I scored it, with all these people cheering me," said Mata.
"I had no time. It's either I shoot or I don't. I just shot it one-touch and it went in. It was amazing."
Mata's late goal is one of the key highlights of the season so far for NVC.
"I think, defensively, we are properly organized. Mendocino did a great job in the first half. Overall, I think it's great momentum going from Merced. We already set the standards high. And we can't go below that," said Ochoa.
Justin Sotelo, a sophomore forward, and Ivan Chavez, a sophomore defender, also stood out for NVC.
"Justin Sotelo on the wing was very crafty. Ivan Chavez was very solid in the midfield just winning those 50-50s. And then the backline, again, did a great job. Once your backline is that good and communicates that well, you're always in the game," said Ochoa.
Osifo-Doe played very well at goal keeper for the Storm.
"He made a couple of good saves that definitely kept us in the game," said Ochoa.
NVC took several shots on goal in the second half, as the Storm increased its scoring chances.
NVC and Woodland Community College are tied for first place in the Bay Valley standings.
"With expectations come a little bit of pressure. It's good that these guys understood the pressure from the last game against Merced," Ochoa pointed out. "And then (Tuesday), being the first game in conference against Mendocino, I think they really did a good job and got the result. Hopefully we can continue going forward."
CCCSIA Men's Soccer Poll
Seven Northern California teams, led by No. 4 Evergreen Valley-San Jose, are in the California Community College Sports Information Association men's soccer poll, announced in a report on Sept. 26 by the California Community College Athletic Association, at www.cccaasports.org.
Also in the poll:
Tied for No 5, Santa Rosa; No. 8 Skyline-San Bruno; No. 9 Merced; No. 14 Las Positas-Livermore; No. 18 Canada-Redwood City; No. 19 Cabrillo-Aptos.
Those listed as others include Gavilan-Gilroy, West Valley-Saratoga, Modesto, City College of San Francisco, Hartnell-Salinas, De Anza-Cupertino, Cosumnes River-Sacramento.
* 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.