PREP SOCCER ROUNDUP : Ocean View Dominates, but Can Only Tie Santa Ana

There was little settled during Wednesday’s showdown between Ocean View and Santa Ana, two of Orange County’s top boys’ soccer teams.

The 0-0 tie at Ocean View was not what either side was looking to achieve. Yet, from Ocean View’s point of view, the Seahawks had gained a little after two halves and two overtime periods.

First, they remained unbeaten in Sunset League play. They also proved they could stay with the Saints, the defending Southern Section 4-A champions. Finally, the tie probably will keep Ocean View at the top of the Orange County coaches’ poll.

But the Seahawks (11-4-3, 4-0-1 in league) could have had much more.

“We controlled the match from the second half on,” Coach Paul Kollar said, “but we wanted to beat them.”

A victory would have given the Seahawks with a firm hold on the league race. It also would have avenged a 4-2 loss to the Saints in the Orange tournament final.

Although they played a conservative match, the Seahawks had several good opportunities. They had three chances in front of the goal in the second half, but couldn’t put the ball in the net.

Ocean View did score two goals, but both were wiped out by offside calls.

Daniel Tomlin scored in the first half. Ryan Schomberg scored off a pass from Scott Roberts in the second.

“We score two goals and the referee took both of them away,” Kollar said.

Santa Ana Coach Bob Pacieznik saw it another way.

“If they don’t go on the board, they aren’t goals,” he said.

The Saints (11-3-2, 2-1-2), ranked third in the county, moved the ball well early on, but the Ocean View defense smothered them. The Seahawks packed their defense in tight, then relied on the speed of their wings in order to put pressure on the Santa Ana defense.

“They played for the tie and they got it,” Pacieznik said. “If they hadn’t, they would have lost.”