Dolphins Kick to High Gear

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The Palisades High boys soccer team captured its first and only City Section championship in 2016 and this season the Dolphins want to make it two. Despite missing several starters they reached the semifinals of the South East Winter Classic on December 30 at Gahr High in Cerritos, showing they are a team to be reckoned with in 2024.

“We did quite well considering we weren’t even close to full strength,” Coach Marvin Lemus said. “We brought up six JV guys and I’m proud of the way they performed. I like this tournament because I get to see the kids’ character and which players are really committed to the program.”

The Dolphins opened pool play in the 32-team bracket by outscoring Animo Robinson 4-3 at Hawkins High in Los Angeles. Brady Kim, Noah Ferrero, Jayce Jones and Brandon Ramirez all scored. Later that day the Dolphins shut out Bravo 6-0. Ferrero netted three goals while Ramirez, Jones and Jesse Altaminaro each added one. The next morning, Dec. 29, Palisades beat Hawkins 4-1 to clinch first place in its group. Ferrero, Jones, Jack Malloy and Cole Hubbard were the goal scorers.

The knockout stage began that afternoon and Palisades won its round of 16 game against Locke in a shootout after the teams tied 1-1 in regulation. Ferrero scored the Dolphins’ goal off an assist from Noah Kim.

On Dec. 30 the Dolphins took on Bell in the quarterfinals and prevailed 1-0 thanks to Jones’ nifty goal 11 minutes into the second half. That night, Palisades faced unbeaten Fremont in the semifinals and fell behind 2-0 at halftime. The Dolphins applied constant pressure throughout the second half and it finally paid off when Jones passed to Ramirez in the penalty area and he scored moments before the final whistle.

“Noah [Ferrero] barely missed on a breakaway in the first 10 minutes,” Lemus said. “He was one-on-one with the keeper and pushed it just wide. If he scores there it would’ve changed the whole game.”

Fremont held on for a 2-1 win and on Tuesday the Pathfinders lost to Marquez in penalty kicks at Gahr High after the teams played to a scoreless draw in regulation.

“We’re more of an attacking team, but the last game was all about whcan last the longest which was a little out of our comfort zone,” said Ramirez, a transfer from University who was eligible for the tournament after the mandatory sit-out period. “If you’re behind you have to keep your heads up and do the best with who you have out there.”

Palisades hosted Chavez last Thursday and blanked the Eagles 5-0. Altaminaro, Jones, Ferrero, Ramirez and Max Bedolla scored and Kim had two assists. On Monday the Dolphins hosted Locke in a chippy affair and prevailed 4-2. Ferrero scored three times, once on a penalty kick, and Altaminaro scored on a direct free kick from 25 yards away in stoppage time as the Dolphins improved to 10-2-2.

“We’re getting better every game, Ferrero said. “The tournament was a huge turning point. We didn’t know how good we were but playing so many games in such a short time really helped our chemistry.”