Top-seeded Riverdale survives physical match to advance in Division IV playoffs

In kicking off the CIF Central Section Div. IV boys soccer playoffs, top-seeded Riverdale High got pushed around in a physical match against San Joaquín Memorial.

The host Cowboys, however, used a 17th-minute goal by junior captain Sebastián Pérez hold up in a 1-0 victory to advance to a second-round match at home.

Rivedale will host Mira Monte at 6 p.m. Thursday. Mira Monte defeated East Bakersfield on penalty kicks following a 1-1 standoff.

How physical was the game played in low-40 temperatures and strong gusts of wind?

At least three Riverdale players had to be helped off the field. Two Memorial players got red cards after accumulating a pair of yellow cards each.

Riverdale head coach Gabriel Arámbula said his players, the Northwest Sequoia League champions with an 11-1-1 record, showed they could get pushed around and still find a way to win.

“It was a physical game,” he said. “It was good because our players are not used to playing physical teams like this. But I’m happy that we were able to pull through.”

The match better prepares Riverdale for the playoffs, said Arámbula, who picked up his 50th win in three seasons.

“Our expectations right now are to take it one game at a time,” he said.

But first, he’ll wait for his players to heal from Tuesday’s injuries.

The Cowboys could have scored two or three more goals, but their shots either hit the bar or were slightly off target.

“I would have felt better if we could have gone up two or three,” said Arámbula. “But, for some reason, we just couldn’t put them in. We were creating chances.”

The 1-0 lead withstood some late opportunities by Memorial.

“Yeah, it was a nail biter to the very end,” said Arámbula.

Pérez blasted a left-footed shot off a pass from freshman Xaidyn Camacho to provide the only goal that Riverdale would need.

“Our shots didn’t come our way,” said Pérez. “But we just need to keep playing.”