By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

CALERA – With rain pouring down on the Eagle Sports Complex early Friday afternoon on April 25, it was unclear whether the Calera Eagles boys and girls soccer teams would get the chance to play their playoff matchups against the visiting Brookwood Panthers.

Not only did the weather improve, but both Calera squads defeated Brookwood in convincing fashion, with the girls winning in a 10-0 mercy rule and the boys winning 9-0.

The girls scored eight goals in a dominant first half, using possession and defense to create numerous scoring chances. An early free kick made it 1-0 early, and the Panthers goalie was injured in the process, unable to continue for the rest of the game.

The Eagles took advantage, scoring five goals in quick succession to make it 6-0. The starters for Calera were then subbed out, and the game stalled, with neither side gaining an offensive edge except for one Eagles goal.

The starters for the Eagles returned later in the second half and immediately asserted themselves, scoring a quick screamer to head to halftime with an eight-goal margin.

The second half was cut short thanks to two goals in quick succession to end the game via mercy rule. With the win, Calera will face Northridge in the next round of the girls soccer playoffs.

The Eagles’ boys team seemingly played off of the aggression and energy the girls played with, handling Brookwood 9-0 to also advance in the playoffs. Alexander Garcia started the game off with an early goal for Calera, and from there it was all Eagles the rest of the way.

Matthew Doerfler shined all game for Calera with exceptional dribbling and timely finishes, scoring a hat trick including an early brace to put the Eagles up 3-0.

A Panthers own goal then made it 4-0, and Edson Gonzalez then took on Brookwood by himself to score a beautiful goal that made it 5-0.

The game headed to halftime with Calera up 5-0, and the second half started the same way the first half did: a Garcia goal off of a free kick.

After a long scoring drought, the Eagles found the back of the net thanks to the foot of Armando Molina Perez to make it 7-0. Another defensive dissection from Gonzalez and a spectacular screamer from Doerfler made it 9-0 and ended the scoring for the evening.

Calera’s boys squad will also face Northridge in the next round of the playoffs after cruising to the victory.