Not to Worry, Coach: Burroughs, Minus Two Key Starters, Advances to Final, 2-0 : Division III soccer: Kodama’s fears allayed as Indians overcome physical Brea-Olinda.

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

The Indians were without two starters and were facing a big and physical team. Senior midfielder Anthony Perico broke a leg in the quarterfinals last Thursday and senior defender Juan Almaguer hurt an ankle a couple of days later.

But the Indians (15-6-2) still managed to pull out a 2-0 victory and advance to championship match 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.”

Junior David Ramos scored the Indians’ first goal at the 29-minute mark on a header after a throw-in by senior Eddie Melgar. Senior forward Roberto Perez scored the insurance goal on a breakaway after 57 minutes 30 seconds.

Perez, the Foothill League player of the year, had a difficult time in the first half, getting off only three long shots.

“Things just weren’t working out for me at first,” Perez said. “I really don’t know what it was because I felt good.”

Both teams took six shots and Burroughs goalie Marc Binda had five saves. Brea goalie Justin Breazeale had two.

“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,” said Coach Matt Swindle of Brea-Olinda (18-5-3). “We just weren’t applying the pressure.”