Cate Rams Triumph in Rain-Soaked Playoff Opener, Defeat El Toro 2-1

February 13, 2025

The Cate Rams kicked off their CIF Division 1 Southern Section Playoff journey with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the El Toro Chargers, proving they belong among the best. In front of a packed home crowd at Meldman Field, the Rams battled through relentless rain to secure their spot in the second round.

A Fast Start in Tough Conditions

The match began under torrential rain, making passing and dribbling nearly impossible. Just three minutes into the game, junior striker George Marin was fouled outside the box and stepped up to take the free kick. Under the downpour, he delivered a stunning curler into the top-right corner, sending the crowd and Rams bench into a frenzy while giving Cate an early 1-0 lead.

For the remainder of the first half, both teams struggled to create scoring opportunities in the difficult conditions. However, Cate’s experienced back line and standout junior goalkeeper Quincy Thorne held firm, keeping the Chargers off the scoreboard to maintain the 1-0 advantage at halftime.

A Second-Half Battle

As the rain eased, the quality of play improved, and the game opened up. In the 53rd minute, El Toro was awarded a penalty kick and converted, leveling the score at 1-1.

Cate responded with relentless attacking pressure, pinning the Chargers in their own half. In the 71st minute, junior midfielder Kamil Abdul Nafeo delivered a well-placed inswinging corner kick, finding Marin in a crowded six-yard box. His header bounced off the turf, struck the right post, and crossed the goal line before an El Toro defender cleared it. The assistant referee, in perfect position, signaled for the goal—igniting another round of celebration as Cate regained the lead 2-1.

For the remaining 14 minutes, including stoppage time, El Toro threw everything they had at Cate’s defense, but the Rams held strong, fending off each attack to seal the dramatic 2-1 victory.

Making a Statement in Division 1

With Cate jumping from Division 6 to Division 1 this season, many questioned whether the Rams could compete at this level. Head coach Jorge Reynoso addressed those doubts postgame:

“I’ve been asked countless times if we’re out of our league. My answer has always been the same—our team wants to prove we belong and that we can play with anyone. We know it’s only the first round, but I believe we proved that today.”

What’s Next?

With this victory, the Rams advance to the second round of the playoffs on Saturday. Their opponent will be determined by the outcome of the Pasadena vs. Fontana match, which was postponed until tomorrow at 5 PM. If Pasadena wins, Cate will host the next round. If Fontana wins, the Rams will be on the road.

Stay tuned for updates as Cate continues their playoff journey! ⚽