Soccer Game Preview: Piedmont vs. Hayward

The Piedmont Highlanders will challenge the Hayward Farmers at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Last Tuesday, Piedmont didn't have quite enough to beat Mt. Eden and fell 3-2. While losing is never fun, the Highlanders can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' California soccer rankings (they are ranked 627th, while the Monarchs are ranked 248th).

Meanwhile, Hayward had to endure an eight-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. Their defense stepped up to hand Encinal a 5-0 shutout on Tuesday. The Farmers' offense finally found a way to get into gear: the high-octane performance was a 180-degree turn from their last nine games.

Hayward's victory was their first in the league, bumping their league record up to 1-7-1 and their overall record up to 3-8-1. As for Piedmont, they have been struggling recently as they've lost three of their last four contests, which put a noticeable dent in their 3-7-4 record this season.

Piedmont beat Hayward by a goal when the teams last played back in December of 2023, winning 2-1. Does Piedmont have another victory up their sleeve, or will Hayward turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.