DIVISION III BOYS’ SOCCER : Short-Handed Burbank Burroughs Shuts Out Brea-Olinda

Burroughs boys’ soccer Coach Michael Kodama had good reason to be concerned before Tuesday’s Southern Section Division III semifinal against Brea-Olinda.

The Indians were without two key starters and they faced a big and physical Brea-Olinda team. Midfielder Anthony Perico broke a leg in the quarterfinals on Thursday and defender Juan Almaguer hurt an ankle a couple of days later.

But the Indians still managed to pull out a 2-0 victory on their home field and advance to the final on Saturday against Bell Gardens.

“We played real calm,” Kodama said. “The key for us was to keep the ball on the ground and we did that.”

David Ramos scored the first goal at the 29-minute mark for the Indians (15-6-2). He headed it in after a throw-in by Eddie Melgar.

Forward Roberto Perez scored a breakaway goal at the 57:30 mark. He cut across the left side, dusting three Brea defenders in the process.

Perez, the Foothill League player of the year, was having a difficult time in the first half. He missed three shots that were each at least 10 feet from the goal.

Both teams took six shots and Burroughs goalie Marc Binda had five saves. Justin Breazeale had two saves for Brea-Olinda (18-5-3).

“We started the game off at 90% in the first half and we came out at 150% in the second but it was too late,” Brea-Olinda Coach Matt Swindle said. “We just weren’t applying the pressure.”