Boys’ soccer: Jaguars roar to their first playoff victory

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It’s been a season of firsts for New Community Jewish. After finishing second in the Harbor League to earn the first postseason berth in the program’s three-year history, the Jaguars won their first playoff game, beating Bosco Tech, 4-1, in a Division VI wildcard at Adam Bischoff Field in West Hills.

Jesse Fishman of New Community Jewish and Dean Rowley of Bosco Tech began the game tied for sixth in the state in scoring with 29 goals and nine assists, and each figured in the outcome. Rowley scored on a breakaway for the Tigers’ lone tally. But Fishman, voted the Harbor League’s most valuable offensive player, tallied three goals as the Jaguars advanced to Friday’s first-round match with Delphic League champion Montclair Prep from nearby Van Nuys.

‘The Montclair Prep coach was there scouting us,’ New Community Jewish assistant coach Rabbi Benjamin Resnick said. ‘Our schools are close to each other so many of our kids overlap. In fact, our stopper, Max Lipsett, attended Montclair Prep through eighth grade. It’s a neighborhood rivalry. On top of that, they might be the best team in our division besides [Harbor League champion] Animo.’

The Mounties certainly have the best scorer in the division. In fact, with 38 goals and 23 assists Austin Mandel has more points than any player in California. Well, more than any guy anyway. Sophomore Carmel Diamant of the New Jewish Community girls team has racked up a state-high 40 goals and 27 assists in only 13 games. What’s that old saying, anything boys can do girls can do better?

-- Steve Galluzzo

-- Image from www.rivalart.com