Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The Huskies celebrate their championship on Friday night.

By Ray Hamill — In the world of sports it simply doesn’t get any more exciting than this.

It certainly doesn’t get much closer.

But then again, no one ever said winning a North Coast Section championship was easy.

After seeing numerous golden opportunities go amiss during 80 minutes of regulation and two periods of overtime, the Fortuna Huskies finally got the better of a stubborn International team on a penalty shootout to claim the NCS Division-I boys soccer title at Fortuna High on Friday night.

The two teams played out an exhilarating 0-0 tie to force two periods of sudden death overtime, neither of which were enough to decide things.

The shootout didn’t start well for the Huskies, who had their first three attempts saved, but they managed to net three of their next four attempts, and thanks to the heroics of sophomore goalie Alonso Garcia, that would prove to be enough.

Garcia wasn’t even expected to start, but got the nod due to team disciplinary issues and didn’t disappoint.

The sophomore was the hero of the 3-2 shootout, remarkably saving five of the seven shots he faced, not to mention a brilliant save he made in the first period of OT to keep his team in the game.

“Hats off to International first of all. That was a great game,” a delighted Fortuna head coach Daniel Holmes said. “But in the long run, we hit the post many, many times, and I think we deserved it.”

It was the Huskies’ second straight NCS championship and a third in four years, and they were worthy winners.

After a pulsating two halves of regulation, during which the Huskies were the better team but not by a whole lot, they began to dominate more and more as overtime progressed and the Jaguars were barely holding on when the full-time whistle finally sounded.

The Fortuna boys had numerous chances to end it long before the shootout, hitting the goal post at least four times — twice in the second period of OT — as well as several goalmouth scrambles that either ended in desperation clearances or the ball going inches wide.

“They found the heart to win,” Holmes said. “They dug deep.”

There were several heroes for the champions in addition to Garcia.

Up front Sergio Marquez caused numerous problems for the Jaguars defense, while in midfield the industrious Fernando Atilano was brilliant all night, as he has been his entire Fortuna career, alongside Antonio Garcinuno, who also worked tirelessly and inspired his teammates with some fantastic tackles, particularly late in the game.

At the back, Garcia and the Huskies defense posted the shutout despite plenty of International possession in their half of the field, with the ever reliable Giovanney Ramirez leading the way and closing out his high school career in spectacular fashion.

“I’m super proud of him,” Holmes said of Ramirez.

Alongside him, Oscar James Avendano, Jack Honsal and Angel Ornelas didn’t give an inch and played with focus and composure throughout the entire game.

Sophomore winger Omar caused numerous problems for the Jags with some wonderful streaking runs, while Edgar Herrera worked well down the other wing, creating opportunities for Marquez, Junior Cruz and RJ Rexford up front.

After the Huskies had missed their first three penalties, Garcinuno and Avendano hit on back-to-back attempts to leave the teams tied at 2-2 after five attempts each.

It then went to sudden death penalties with both teams missing their first attempt, before Marquez scored to give the Huskies the advantage.

Garcia then saved the ensuing attempt to seal the win, sending a large and enthusiastic home crowd into a frenzy.

Holmes has built a remarkable dynasty at the school, which has won seven straight H-DNL titles to go with the NCS crowns in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

“Hats off to the boys, they make me look good,” the coach said.