Last fall's meeting was stopped in the 55th minute with the score 1-1. The Crusaders host the Grizzlies on Wednesday looking for revenge and a response to a poor run. Our preview and prediction.
Saint Maximilian Catholic School (Crusaders) host Oakland Military Institute (Grizzlies) on Wednesday, and there is history here. "There's a bit of a rivalry between these two programs," says the Saint Maximilian head coach, Coach Cendejas. OMI won 6-1 in the Crusaders' first year. Last fall's meeting, on Oct. 16, was level at 1-1 when it ended in the 55th minute after a fight broke out.
"This Wednesday, we have an opportunity to settle the score, get our revenge for last year, and respond after a series of poor performances in our recent matches," said Coach Cendejas.
Those performances are the other half of the story. Saint Maximilian lead the Bay Area Independent Athletic League at 3-1-1, but they have lost three of their last four. The two most recent defeats were both by a goal: 3-2 at Summit K2 on Oct. 5, when junior Jorge Cruz scored twice, and 2-1 at home to Saint Joseph Notre Dame two days later, when Cruz scored again.
The school has only 18 high school boys, and Saint Maximilian shares their goals. Junior Mateo Briseño, the captain, plays in defensive midfield and still has nine goals and seven assists. Junior Alexander Silva has nine goals, Cruz has 10 goals in seven games, and sophomore Declan Ferrigan has six goals and five assists.
OMI are 2-4-2 and have lost three straight: 4-2 at Cristo Rey De La Salle, 3-1 at Sonoma Academy and 5-1 at Bentley Upper School. Seven of their eight games have been on the road, though, against a hard schedule. They drew 2-2 at Calistoga in August, one of only two sides to draw with the Wildcats this fall, and they have scored in every game they have played.
The two sides have two opponents in common. Saint Maximilian beat Cristo Rey De La Salle 4-2 at home on Sept. 23, and two days later OMI lost 4-2 at Cristo Rey De La Salle. Against Summit K2, Saint Maximilian drew 1-1 at home and lost 3-2 away, and OMI drew 2-2 away.
The call: OMI have let in 23 in eight games, and Saint Maximilian have scored 42 in 12, so the Crusaders have the goals to win this at home. But OMI have scored in all eight of their games, and Saint Maximilian have let in five in their last two. We think the Crusaders get their revenge, just not comfortably. Kickoff at Saint Maximilian is Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Prediction: Saint Maximilian 3-2 Oakland Military Institute