High School Roundup : University City Finally Wins Title

After 2 weeks, 3 days and about 97 minutes of play, the University City boys’ soccer team finally won the La Jolla Cup unlimited division championship Saturday at Allen Field in La Jolla.

It took two comebacks and a couple of overtimes, but University City defeated San Diego, 3-2, in the championship game, which had been scheduled for Dec. 21 but was postponed because of poor weather.

In the limited division championship game, Crawford defeated Carlsbad, 3-1.

“I had total confidence in our team,” said Donaldo Viana, University City’s coach. “The second half was so beautifully done. I just couldn’t see how we could lose.”

But until Curt Rahabari scored a goal from 5 yards out about 2 minutes into the second 5-minute overtime period, a loss was certainly possible.

San Diego was seeded No. 1 and undefeated (8-0) when the game began and quickly took a 1-0 lead, courtesy the University City defense. The goal was scored when University City defender Kevin Fay headed a pass back to goalie Toby Stearns, and the ball slipped past Stearns into the net.

University City tied it before halftime on a Yari Allnutt penalty kick, but San Diego took the lead again early in the second half when Ricardo Jaimes rifled in a shot from the left side.

“That was a fantastic shot,” Viana said. “From his angle, I couldn’t believe how it went in.”

Mike Saipe responded for University City to make it 2-2 late in the second half, forcing the overtime.

Neither team had a good shot on goal in the first overtime period, but Rahabari kicked a rebound past San Diego goalkeeper Tony Hernandez in the second, giving second-seeded University City (6-1-2) the title.

“The shot was point blank,” said San Diego Coach Milton Hidalgo, whose team has now lost three consecutive La Jolla Cup championships. “There was nothing (Hernandez) could do.”

Viana was especially happy with the victory because University City had suffered its first loss Wednesday, 3-1 to Madison.

“We came out of the vacation very flat,” Viana said. “We had our heads deflated. But sometimes a loss at the proper time has a soothing effect.”

Justin Zualet scored twice and Rich McClees once for Crawford (8-4) in the limited final. J.J. Wadas assisted all three goals.

“It was a big win,” said Wayne Rosenberger, Crawford’s coach. “We’ve been preaching a positive attitude, and for it to pay off for us like this, it reinforces what we’ve been talking about.

“We just wanted it today. The kids knew they were going to win.”

Jesus Ramirez scored on an assist from Larry Griffith for Carlsbad (6-3).

San Diego midfielder Manuel Rodriguez was the unlimited tournament’s most valuable player. Crawford goalie Chris Fillius was the limited MVP.