With the game tied 0-0 in the dying minutes, the Jets tried to hold on for a tie against San Leandro (3-1). However, a goal from sophomore Fernando Rivera in the final five minutes gave the Pirates a 1-0 victory over Encinal (0-2) on Dec. 11 at Estuary Park. 

It was a defensive battle for 85 minutes, with the game appearing likely to end in a tie. 

“I think it was one team that was going to score, and whoever scored would put it to bed,” Sophomore goalkeeper Finley Collins said.

The loss was Encinal’s second 1-0 loss of the season. Despite the rough start, the team’s hopes remain high.

“Hopefully we get at least .500. We really want to qualify for NCS, but these last two losses have been pretty heartbreaking,” Collins said. “They’ve both been in the last five minutes.”

The Jets also lost to Mt. Eden on Dec. 9. The close scores show improvement, especially considering that both Mt. Eden and San Leandro dominated Encinal last season.

“If you look at the score last year against San Leandro, it was 8-0, and this year it was 1-0, so I think we have a better team overall,” senior captain Erik Nettling said.

While the team has shown promise, execution in key moments remains an area to improve, with both losses coming down to the wire. The Jets have also failed to score a goal in their first two games, though a single goal in either match would have resulted in a tie.

“I think this year’s team is looking a lot better compared to last year because we have a lot of youth,” junior Connor MacDonald said.

Overall, the team’s mindset this season is more positive than last year, and hopes remain high for the Jets to get back on track. Encinal will look for its first win of the season against Castro Valley on Dec. 19.