Perez Is Back, Burroughs Is on Track, 2-1

What a difference a year makes--not.

Before their Foothill League match Tuesday, the boys’ soccer teams from Hart and Burroughs highs appeared to be enjoying--or suffering through--seasons that were polar opposites of last year.

Hart, the league’s cellar dweller last season, was undefeated in eight matches and won its holiday tournament. Burroughs, two-time defending league champion, lost six matches, including its first league defeat since 1992.

But then Burroughs showed Hart why it is still the league favorite with a 2-1 victory at Hart.

“I knew they’d be strong,” Hart Coach Robert Benavidez said of Burroughs. “They’ve got a great team.”

That team hasn’t been all together for awhile, which explained some of Burroughs’ defeats. Roberto Perez, a center midfielder and preseason All-American, and his cousin, forward Jesus Diaz, spent the past two weeks in Mexico for a relative’s wedding.

Perez returned to action against Hart and made a sudden impact. His centering pass led to the match’s first goal and his 20-yard blast on a free kick gave Burroughs a 2-0 lead late in the first half. In the second half he switched to fullback to bolster the defense as Burroughs protected its lead.

“Their team really feeds off him,” Benavidez said. “He’s very smooth, and when he runs it looks effortless. He’s got the ball and then, boom, he feeds the ball to a teammate and it’s in the back of the net. He’s got great skills, a tremendous attitude and has a great future in soccer.”

Perez, a 5-foot-6, 130-pound senior, controlled play when he possessed the ball. His fluid quickness and precise moves continually set up chances for his teammates.

“He has a vision and he understands the game,” Burroughs Coach Mike Kodama said. “For us, Roberto plays everywhere.”

Everywhere includes in the defense, when needed.

Hart forward Rafael Verduzco drew a penalty kick in the 29th minute of the second half, and forward Oscar Franco converted the shot to cut the lead to 2-1. But from that point, Perez anchored the Burroughs defense to run out the clock.

“It felt pretty good,” he said. “Personally, I just wanted to get back with my teammates. I’m thinking that we won’t lose again.”