REDWOOD CITY – A historic run through the postseason will continue on to the state championships for the first time since 1999 for the Cañada College men's soccer team.
On Saturday, the No. 5-seeded Colts earned their spot in the 3C2A State Championships after battling No. 8 Merced College to a scoreless tie after 120 minutes of soccer. Cañada advanced after edging Merced 5-4 in a thrilling penalty-kick shootout.
It marked the Colts' third straight overtime match in the Northern California Regional Playoffs but first that was decided by PKs.
Cañada goalkeeper Luis Evangelista came up with a huge save in the shootout, diving to his left to turn away the attempt of Merced's Sergio Garcia. The Colts' Vlad Tomutiu followed by converting on his shot to the upper right corner to end the contest and set off the Cañada celebration.
The Colts, now 14-3-7 overall, advance to the State Final Four set for Dec. 6 & 8 at American River College in Sacramento. As the region's highest remaining seed, Cañada earned the North's No. 1 seed and will take on Southern California No. 2-seed Cuyamaca College (16-4-2) on Friday at 10 a.m.
Butte College (17-4-4) is the North No. 2 seed and will face South No. 1 Long Beach City College (19-3-3) in the other state semifinal on Friday at 1 p.m.
The winners will play in the state championship final on Sunday at 11 a.m. | STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKET
Cañada is making its first state championship appearance under head coach Erik Gaspar. Overall, the Colts are returning to the state tournament for the first time since 1999 under the direction of legendary head coach Frank Mangiola. Mangiola, a member of the Cañada College Hall of Fame, passed away earlier this year.
