The deafening roar and frantic flag waving coming from the stands at L.A. Cathedral High on Thursday night after a second-half goal by freshman Diego Barahona tied the game against Loyola made it perfectly clear that this soccer match was unlike any other played with a backdrop of downtown Los Angeles' skyscrapers glittering from above the scoreboard.
When the game finally ended and Loyola had pulled out a 2-1 victory on a goal off a header from senior Sean Traylor, the emotions came pouring out. While Loyola players hugged and hollered, Cathedral players fell to the ground in stunned silence.