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Looking to end the season on a high note, the Berkeley boys’ soccer team dominated El Cerrito, winning 3-0. But by the time the game ended, the stakes got a lot higher. 

With rumors swirling that league leader Richmond was upset earlier in the day came a ray of hope for the ’Jackets (10-2 ACCAL, 14-5 overall). If indeed Richmond had lost, Berkeley would be co-champions with an automatic berth in the North Coast Section playoffs. The Richmond score was not available at press time. 

The Yellowjackets made sure of their own victory by shutting down the El Cerrito offense, only allowing one shot on goal in the first half. Freshman striker Kamani Hill scored two goals, the first from a feed from midfielder Liam Reilly that he side-footed into the El Cerrito net to give Berkeley a 1-0 lead in the first half. His second goal was a header from a cross by Stefan Isaksen that closed the scoring for the day early in the second half. 

“He’s a sensation, isn’t he?” Berkeley head coach Eugenio Juarez said. “Kamani’s as good or better than any freshman I’ve seen.” 

The ’Jackets also got a goal from Reilly, assisted by midfielder Tiago Venturi.