Natomas High School coach Joe Rebelo kept insisting he had a special boys soccer team this season.

Even after a 1-4-1 nonleague start, even with six freshmen playing key roles, including goalie Kris Schultz.

"What a great group," Rebelo said. "I've believed in these guys since Day One."

The Nighthawks (14-6-4) proved their coach's faith in them wasn't unfounded, upsetting Bella Vista (13-6-3) 2-1 in pouring rain Saturday to win the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship at Folsom High School.

It was Nighthawks' first boys section soccer championship and the first time a Rebelo-coached team advanced past the first round of the playoffs in his eight years at the school.

The Tri-County Conference co-champions beat Vallejo 5-1 in the first round Nov. 2, then defeated Capital Athletic League No. 1 seed Casa Roble 2-1 in double overtime in Tuesday's semifinals.

Despite its youth, Natomas showed no fear against taller and more experienced opponents.

First-half goals by senior Michael Patch and freshman Danny Cuevas were enough to overcome an early second-half header goal by the Broncos' Charlie Diamond.

Cuevas' 11th goal of the season, which proved the game winner, came after he beat the defense in running down a long ball headed toward the right corner. He turned toward the goal, took a few dribbles, then lifted the ball precisely past Broncos' goalie Zack Contreras before he could cut the angle.

"He's been a little impatient, trying to hit every ball hard," Rebelo said. "He showed great patience this time."

While the youngsters shined, so did senior interior defenders Armando Villalobos and Frank Ankomah. They helped turned back a number of Bella Vista challenges.

"They put a little pressure on us in the second half once they hit that goal," Rebelo said.

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