Gaels blank Bonanza, clinch Southwest’s top seed

After missing several matches with injuries this year, Bishop Gorman’s Ramak Roohani knows he has to make every scoring chance count.

Roohani tapped home a goal off a long throw-in Tuesday as the Gaels defeated Bonanza 2-0 to clinch the Southwest League’s No. 1 seed for next week’s Sunset Region boys soccer tournament.

Gorman’s Shane Thompson heaved the ball toward Bengals goalkeeper William Sagel on a throw-in from the right side 20 minutes into the second half. Roohani jumped in front of the ball and poked it with his toe, and the ball trickled through Sagel’s arms.

“Our thinking off those long throw-ins is that I’m the point man, so it’s going to be thrown to me every time,” Roohani said. “I look for that flick every time. I don’t expect to score off of it, but that time we just got lucky and we got a goal off of it. So I’ll take that.”

Jason Eng gave the Gaels (15-0-1) the lead inside the second minute after intercepting a cross.

“The first goal ... was huge to relieve pressure. And we knew that if we could get the second one, we were in great shape,” Gorman coach Doug Borgel said. “We haven’t let in more than a goal a game, so we knew we were in good shape. I think it broke their spirit a little bit, but they’re a fantastic team.”

Bonanza (15-2, 13-2 Southwest) finished second behind the Gaels, with Western and Spring Valley wrapping up the Southwest’s other two playoff spots.

Thomas Olsen, who has allowed only seven goals all year, made six saves to preserve the shutout.

Gorman outshot Bonanza 9-5 in the second half, even as the Bengals continuously pressed forward. Each team put three shots on goal.
Borgel said the Gaels’ postseason path won’t be easy despite wrapping up the league’s No. 1 seed.

“It’s supposed to give you the easiest road to get to the final,” Borgel said. “But everybody knows once we walk out on the field, and the front of the jersey says 'Bishop Gorman,’ everybody plays their best game against you.

“It’s a credit to the boys to step up every single time, no matter who they’re playing, whether it’s the top team or the bottom team. This team has come out every single game and played their best.”