SOUTHERN SECTION 4-A SOCCER : Plasencia’s Goal in Overtime Lifts Santa Ana, 1-0

Simi Valley had more than three times as many shots on goal as did Santa Ana in a Southern Section IV-A Division boys’ semifinal soccer game Tuesday night, but Santa Ana will be making the trip to the title game.

Gustavo Plasencia stole a pass intended for goalkeeper Mike Jones from Pioneer defender Vince Proja and scored into an open net from about 20 yards with 30 seconds left in overtime to boost Santa Ana over the division’s top-ranked team, 1-0, and into the championship match against Beverly Hills at 8 p.m. Friday at Gahr High in Cerritos.

Simi Valley (22-3-1) outshot the Saints, 28-9, and had several scoring opportunities it couldn’t convert because of a physical Santa Ana defense that was led by a 10-save performance by Armando Guillen.

“I told the players (after regulation) to keep the faith,” Santa Ana Coach Sam Buenrostro said. “I told them I didn’t care if they scored with their hair or their noses, but to just keep the faith.”

Santa Ana (20-6-3) was threatening around the midfield line, prompting Proja to send a keeper pass back to Jones, who was playing outside the penalty area. Proja’s pass rolled behind the advancing Jones and Plasencia stole the ball and scored his 23rd goal.

When the ball rolled into the lower right corner of the net, Simi Valley Coach Andy Silva dropped to his knees on the sideline and the facial expressions of Pioneer reserves turned from enthusiastic to dazed. Several water bottles were then slammed to the ground.

“The wrong team won the game,” Silva said. “We were in their faces and on their doorstep all night. One mistake will cost you.”

Simi Valley advanced to the 4-A title game last year and lost, 1-0, to Palos Verdes.