SOCCER ROUNDUP : Washington Defeat Ends in a Brawl

The Washington High boys’ soccer team took a pounding last week from San Pedro’s offensive machine, losing 4-0 in a Southern Pacific Conference game that ended early when the teams brawled.

Three players from San Pedro and one from Washington were ejected shortly before referee Heinz Womerath stopped Monday’s game with 12 minutes remaining. San Pedro forwards Michael DiMassa, who scored two goals, and Marcos Vargas were red-carded for fighting, along with midfielder Miguel Sotelo. Washington fullback Cesar Pandura also was ejected.

Although the Washington offense dominated the first half, the Generals were unable to capitalize on their opportunities. In contrast, the Pirates went into the second half with three goals.

Jefrey Van Antwerp began the Pirates’ rout in the first seven minutes of the game, scoring on a chip shot outside the penalty area that sailed directly toward General goalie Cesar Molino. But the ball bounced off Molino’s hands, over his head and into the net.

The Pirates’ momentum was accelerated when Washington sweeper Octavio Pandura suffered a pulled hamstring in his left leg, forcing him to leave the game early in the first half.

Washington became disorganized without Pandura, a member of the U.S. Olympic junior development team.

“Octavio actually controls the tempo of the game, as he does the defense,” Washington Coach Mike Asfall said.

The fight broke out when Washington’s Cesar Pandura apparently kicked Justino Perea in the leg after a foul was called against Washington. Perea responded by swinging at Pandura, and both teams rushed onto the field to assist their teammates.

In Wednesday’s games:

Roosevelt 2, South Gate 1--Salvador Guerrero netted the winning goal on a head pass from Franco Perez for a Southeastern Conference victory at South Gate.

Perez scored the first goal for Roosevelt (4-1-1 overall, 2-0-1 in league) on a shot 10 yards outside the penalty box.

South Gate (3-3, 0-3) scored about 10 minutes later on a direct kick by Osvaldo Macedo as the half ended in a 1-1 tie.

Garfield 1, Bell 0--Right winger Jose Gomez broke away from a Bell midfielder, dribbled the ball downfield and centered it to Richard Salcedo who scored the only goal of the game to lift Garfield (4-1-1, 2-1) to a Southeastern Conference win.

Bell (2-4, 1-2) had two opportunities to tie in the second half with shots by midfielder Oswaldo Williams and center forward Ernesto Serratos. Froilan Gutierrez barely made both saves.

Fremont 1, Jefferson 0--Cesar Villalobos scored a header on a corner kick from Juan Carlos with five minutes left as Fremont (5-0-1, 2-0-1) snapped Jefferson’s (5-1, 2-1) five-game winning streak in a Southeastern Conference match at Fremont.

Venice 2, Manual Arts 1--Jorge Escobal pounded in a late shot from outside the box but it was not enough as Manual Arts (4-2, 2-1) lost its first game at home in more than a year.

Belmont 2, Wilson 1--Forward Carlos Tejax scored his second clutch goal of the season to give Belmont a Southeastern Conference victory at home.

Salvador Gochez scored for Belmont (5-0-1, 2-0-1) in the 25th minute for a 1-0 lead. Wilson (1-5, 0-2) scored its goal on a penalty kick by Victor Arana.

Locke 2, Jordan 2--Jose Ortega and Jose Luis Zavala each scored a goal to bring Jordan (0-2-1) to a tie with Locke (1-1-1) in a Southeastern Conference game.

Girls’ Soccer

San Pedro 3, Garfield 0--The Pirates shut out Garfield (2-1, 2-3), scoring all three of their goals in the second half.

Bell 2, Manual Arts 0--Elizabeth Ceja scored a goal in the first half and another in the second to give Bell (3-2-1, 3-0) a Southeastern Conference win.