Gonzalez goal lifts Burroughs boys’ soccer over Burbank
BURBANK — Manny Gonzalez has proven to be a valuable asset for the Burroughs High boys’ soccer team.
The freshman forward had been an offensive force and has set a program record for the Indians in his first season.
In Friday afternoon’s cross-town rivalry match against host Burbank, Gonzalez scored the contest’s only goal in the second half to carry the Indians to a 1-0 Pacific League victory.
It was the 10th of the season for Gonzalez, who has set a program record for goals by a freshman.
“There’s definitely extra hype with this game, it’s a rivalry game,” Gonzalez said. “I got good support from my teammates and we made it happen.
“We had some chances early, but when they’re not falling you have to keep going, one will come.”
Burbank (3-5-4, 2-4-2 in league) played well in the first 20 minutes of the match, but couldn’t generate any goals. Burroughs (11-6-1, 5-2-1), the defending league champion, took control over the final 20 minutes of the opening half, but couldn’t score as well.
“There’s 80 minutes, so you have to play each minute,” Indians coach Mile Kodama said. “That’s what we said at halftime, just keep playing and look for that opportunity when that opportunity comes. And obviously we want to finish it.
“I was really happy with the performance of the guys today. ...We are young, so every week we’re learning something new.”
With a wealth of opportunities in the first half, Burroughs finally made good on one of its chances at the 46th minute of the second half. Esteban Alcanter set up for a free kick 35 yards from the Burbank goal. Alcanter lofted the ball on goal where the freshman headed the ball in for a 1-0 lead.
Things began to get chippy with physical play late in the second half. In the final 13 minutes, the Bulldogs received a red card and four yellow cards, including one against coach Gor Kirakosyan.
“I think we had some better, clearer chances that we weren’t able to finish,” Kirakosyan said. “But they had a chance and they scored on a free kick.
“The officiating was frustrating. But I’m proud of my players. They stepped up. When we were down to 10 players [Burroughs] could have score, but we hustled to the end, and that’s all that mattered to me.”
The Bulldogs had some scoring opportunities in the second half, the best perhaps coming in the 78th minute. Ethan Jay fired a hard shot on goal that goalkeeper Sebastian Kalemkarian had to dive and cover up to make the save.
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