Defending Champion Esperanza Beats Santa Barbara in a Shootout

Esperanza needed overtime, sudden death and then a shootout Tuesday to earn a chance to defend its Southern Section Division II boys’ soccer title.

Esperanza and top-seeded Santa Barbara were tied, 1-1, after regulation and overtime, but the Aztecs won the shootout, 3-2. Esperanza (18-5-5) will play Mater Dei (23-2-4) for the title at 8 p.m. Saturday at Cerritos Gahr High School.

Esperanza led the shootout, 3-2, when Santa Barbara’s Garrett Cole set up for the final kick, but Aztec goalie Jason Fiske drove to his right to knock away the ball.

Santa Barbara (26-2-2) took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by Carlos Moralas. Esperanza came back to tie it about 17 minutes into the first half when Mark Alleman scored his 19th goal of the season.

Santa Barbara appeared to have scored three minutes later, but the official waved off the goal saying it was supposed to be an indirect kick, not a free kick.