PREP SOCCER / SENIOR BOYS’ ALL-STAR GAME : North Holds Off South, Scores in Second Half for 3-0 Victory

After a scoreless first half, the North team finally broke through to score three second-half goals and defeated the South, 3-0, in the Orange County Boys’ Soccer Coaches Assn. all-star game Saturday at Chapman University.

Anaheim goalkeeper Joel Vasquez put a noose around the South’s potent scoring attack, and the North fullbacks, led by Ken Cody and Oscar Lara and a stingy defense, stepped in at crucial times to smother each South rally.

By halftime, it appeared as if neither team would be able to break through as South goalkeeper Pete Van de Ven knocked away each North scoring chance.

But it was the Sunny Hills duo of Doug Howes and D.J. Buckley that put the North on the scoreboard six minutes into the second half.

Howes, who was notified on Tuesday that he would be filling in for teammate Chris Roselli, took a pass down the right side until he spotted Buckley charging toward the left post. Howes fed his Lancer teammate perfectly and Buckley redirected the ball past Van de Ven.

After the South’s two scoring chances hit the crossbar, the North cushioned its lead with 12 minutes left when Van de Ven and fullback Oscar Cisneros misplayed a long indirect kick from Cody.

Both players called for the ball at the same time, but then stopped and looked at each other. Meanwhile, Orange forward Hugo Regalado raced in, knocked the ball away from both players and fired into the open net for a 2-0 lead.

The South made it 3-0 with under three minutes to play on a goal from Santa Ana Valley’s Rafael Reynosa on an assist from Buckley.

“We were fortunate to win this game,” North Coach Fred Leininger said. “Both teams played superb, but our shots found the back of the net.”