HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : Buena Rallies to Knock Off Burroughs, 4-2

Buena High scored four consecutive goals--including two in the second 10-minute overtime--to defeat host Burroughs, 4-2, Thursday in a first-round match of the Southern Section 3-A Division boys’ soccer playoffs.

“Usually, we’re the type of team that, when we get down, we give up,” said Troy Scott, who scored the go-ahead goal seven minutes into the second overtime. “Right at the beginning of the second half, we got a good shot and we got our confidence up. After that, we thought we could do it.”

Scott beat three defenders at the right edge of the penalty area and let fly with a booming left-footed shot that beat goalie Leonardo Rosetti low at the left post.

“I was going to center it,” Scott said. “But I beat one guy and decided to take it to the goal. I just shot it as hard as I could.”

Sandro Martinez, an overtime replacement for the Bulldogs, headed in a shot two minutes later.

“It was a game of two halves,” Buena Coach Sean Roche said. “Burroughs dominated the first half and we dominated the second half.”

A pair of strategic moves paid big dividends for Roche in the second half.

The first, bringing a fifth midfielder into the match, allowed the Bulldogs (12-3-3) to control the ball more. The second was more dramatic.

Sophomore defender James Melcher, moved up to the forward line to provide more punch, gave Buena some much needed momentum six minutes into the second half when he tracked down a corner kick from Joe Hoffman and hammered in a shot at the left post.

Ten minutes later, Hoffman set up another goal on a free kick from 25 yards. His shot on goal was deflected by Rosetti, but Peter Malone gobbled up the rebound and centered it to Victor Sanchez for the tying score.

It took just five minutes for Burroughs, first-time Foothill League champion, to jump in front in the first half. Ed Melgar’s throw-in from deep along the right sideline sailed off the hands of goalie Mark Tovias and into the net.

The Indians (17-4-3) scored again in the 38th minute when Roberto Perez tapped in a shot at the right post on a left-wing pass from Jesus Munoz.