In what was an injury-riddled season for the program, Orestimba High boys soccer team’s 2025-26 campaign ended on Feb. 14 with a 1-0 loss against Delhi High in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs.

The Warriors finished the season at 8-11-4 overall, while the Hawks continued its run for a section title as the team advanced to the quarterfinals to face Summerville High on Tuesday.

While this season has its highs and lows, Orestimba head coach Jose Serrato said his team showed “resilience” through every obstacle thrown at them.

“We fought with everything we had, maybe not playing the best game or the best games, but we were there within reach with most games,” he said. “Hard work [and] resilience, that’s what I take away from this season.”

The first half of Saturday’s match was scoreless as both teams found opportunities at goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net. 

In the 14th minute, Delhi had two attempts to score. After the first miss, Hawks midfielder Davien Lopez kicked the ball towards the Warriors’ goal, but it was blocked by keeper Julian Lopez.

Eight minutes later, Orestimba midfielder Josue Ramirez’s shot attempt toward an unattended Hawks’ goal, but  Delhi midfielder Ivan Fuentes came in at the last second to block the shot attempt.  

Delhi defender Diego Lozo nearly scored a goal, but he kicked the ball towards the upper crossbar in the 31st minute.

After a scoreless 43 minutes, Hawks’ forward Hector Lucatero scored the first goal of the evening after he dribbled the ball near the penalty area and kicked it past Lopez for a 1-0 lead.

As Orestimba searched for a response, multiple Delhi defenders played man-to-man defense near the Warriors players who moved the ball past midfield.

The Warriors, eventually, got their best chance to tie after midfielder Adrian Figueroa was fouled by a Hawks defender in the 76th minute, resulting in a penalty kick. As he looked at the ball and took a deep breath, Figueroa nearly made his shot attempt as the ball barely hit the upper crossbar. Following the kick, Figueroa was in disbelief as he missed what is a typical kick for him.

The Hawks dribbled the ball in remaining minutes and advanced to the next round.

With Saturday’s match being the final game for six senior players, Serrato said he commends them for what they’ve done for the program this season.

“I’m just proud of the boys [and] everybody that gave everything they had today,” he said.