The Carlmont varsity boys soccer team secured a 2-0 victory over the Burlingame Panthers in their league opener on Jan. 15.
A few minutes into the first half, after initial control of the game by the Panthers, Scot junior Nico Golomb broke through the Panthers’ defense with a tightly angled goal after receiving a long ball from senior Donovan Dooley. Golomb maneuvered around his defender and shot the ball into the net, giving the Scots an early lead.
Later in the half, the Scots maintained their pressure, with Dooley winning a crucial corner kick that led to a scramble in the Panthers’ box. A follow-up shot from the Scots at the top of the box narrowly missed, going slightly wide.
Just before halftime, Golomb drove down the right wing, delivering a precise cross into the middle after beating his defender. Dooley connected with the ball, placing it into the bottom right corner of the net and doubling Carlmont’s lead.
“Both got a goal and an assist, and they assisted each other. Seeing the way we played those two goals was great,” said Carlmont head coach Ryan Freeman.
Dooley, one of the standout players, reflected on his contribution and the team’s preparation.
“We’ve been working on finishing a lot, so it was mostly about keeping the focus while also having composure,” Dooley said. “The Panthers were first last season in the league, so we definitely didn’t want to underestimate them. We just wanted to replicate the style we played in the last two games and keep up the intensity and attack.”
The Scots held strong defensively in the second half, highlighted by defensive efforts and key saves from their goalkeeper to maintain the shutout. Scot freshman George Smilovitz, the only freshman on the team, expressed pride in the team’s effort and success.
“We had a couple of moments in the game where we weren’t in control, but we managed to regain it and pull off a nice victory,” Smilovitz said.
This victory for the Scots marks an impressive start to their league season. With a mix of young talent and experienced seniors, the Scots aim to continue building momentum as they push toward a return to the Central Coast Section playoffs.
“Now, we’re 1-0 in the league just like how we wanted to start, and I’m excited to see this group continue to grow and just reach our full potential,” Freeman said.
