DIVISION IV BOYS’ PLAYOFFS : The Bishop’s Knocks Off Christian

Some teams overlooked The Bishop’s School boys’ soccer team.

Some said Bishop’s couldn’t compete with teams outside of the Coastal League.

But with the addition of Division IV to the San Diego Section Soccer championships, Bishop’s, the two-time 1-A champion, got its chance to prove the skeptics wrong.

Bishop’s defeated top-seeded Christian, 4-2, Thursday to claim the Division IV title at Torrey Pines.

“We can play with anyone,” Bishop’s Coach Sam Manneh said. “I’m glad we were seeded under them. It gave us motivation. They were ranked ninth in the county.

“Our defense held us in the game. We frustrated them and threw their game off.”

The Vikings (19-3-0) allowed just 16 goals all season, and just six goals in 12 league games. Christian finished 14-7-2.

Senior forward Josh Parks scored an unassisted goal at the 32-minute mark to give Bishop’s a 1-0 lead.

“In the first half they weren’t respecting us,” Parks said. “They were playing us tight trying to force off-sides. Eric Schumann knocked in a long ball and I just ran up on it. I gave it a little flick and hoped it would go in.”

Six minutes later, Schumann scored on a penalty kick to give Bishop’s a 2-0 halftime lead.

Bishop’s outshot Christian, 8-1, in the first half and 12-3 in the game.

With 17 minutes remaining in the game, David Kurtz, one of three freshman starters, scored off a assist by junior Brian Hickson to increase Bishop’s lead. Sophomore Mike Manfred scored with 3:42 left to give Bishop’s a 4-1 lead.