Sage Hill boys’ soccer falls to Tarbut V’Torah

Through his first two seasons as the head coach of the Sage Hill School boys’ soccer team, Joe Franco led the Lightning to two berths into the CIF Southern Section Division 6 playoffs.

Those two appearances included three wins in the postseason, but a third straight trip to the playoffs does not appear to be in the cards.

Sage Hill players showed their emotions at the end of Thursday’s San Joaquin League match, perhaps recognizing that they could have played their final home match as a group.

Tarbut V’Torah scored four unanswered goals in defeating Sage Hill 4-1 on senior night for the Lightning.

Ricky Grossman, Jacob Groner, Jared Maister and Ethan Shill each scored a goal for the Lions (6-1-2, 5-1-1 in league), who have seen a major turnaround in their first season with Jerry Laterza at the helm.

Last season, Tarbut V’Torah went 0-8 in San Joaquin League play.

“I think the good thing about the boys at TVT right now is that they’re in a good phase,” Laterza said. “Sometimes, when you win games and start winning, you start believing.

“I think sometimes with young people, that’s the hardest thing for them is to listen to a parent, listen to a coach, and believe.

“Obviously, we’ve been talking with and explaining to them how difficult it is because I think this league is very competitive.”

The Lightning (1-4-4, 0-3-3) had the opening strike on the scoreboard. Midfielder Adrian Hong played the ball ahead to Ben Romeo. He crossed the ball in for a streaking Emir Karabeg, who was able to volley the ball out of the air and into the net in the 19th minute.

Sage Hill’s Emir Karabeg celebrates with teammate Jonathan Lake (12) after scoring a goal in the 19th minute of a San Joaquin League match against Tarbut V’Torah on Thursday.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

Karabeg was among those honored in a pregame ceremony for the seniors, and Franco felt it was fitting that he found the scoresheet for the first goal of the match.

“The ceremony is always good to celebrate the seniors and the hard work that they’ve put into the program for four years, so it’s good to kind of support them and give them the recognition that they deserve.

“In the beginning of the game, when we scored, I think we came off to a good start, and we had some good combination play.”

Tarbut V’Torah responded 10 minutes later on a similar-looking scoring play. Jordan Marciano found Grossman on an aerial pass to the back post, and the latter was able to convert for the tying goal.

“I was just kind of in the right place at the right time,” Grossman said. “That was probably the best pass that I have ever received.”

Shill scored in the 40th minute to put the Lions on top 2-1, cashing in on the first of two assists by Ian MacDonald.

At halftime, Laterza used a distance-running analogy to motivate his players. He told them if they continued to set the pace, they would be able to pull away in the match.

The Lions executed, earning a throw-in in the attacking third that resulted in a goal for Groner in the 43rd minute.

Maister added a goal in the 54th minute to give the Lions a comfortable three-goal advantage.

“Going into the second half, 2-1 is probably the most dangerous lead to have at halftime because if the other team gets a goal, they’re right back in it,” Grossman said. “We knew that we had to push for one more, just to be a bit more calm in the back.”

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