Sylmar Squanders Opportunities, Exits Playoffs

It wasn’t that the Sylmar High boys’ soccer team was completely outplayed in a City Section semifinal against Belmont.

It wasn’t that the Spartans were slower or smaller, either.

It’s just that Sylmar failed to convert on several prime scoring opportunities while the Sentinels capitalized on theirs, leading to a seemingly lopsided 4-0 victory at Belmont on Thursday.

“We had a couple of chances,” Sylmar forward Carlos Cabrera said. “But that’s the way soccer is. You win some, you lose some.”

The best chance for the Spartans (16-2-3), who were outshot, 19-16, came 10 minutes into the second half. With Sylmar trailing, 2-0, Jesus Garcia sent a crossing pass from the right corner in front of the Belmont goal.

Sentinel goalkeeper Manuel Lopez, who had three saves, was out of position but Francisco Vasquez miskicked his shot, and the ball dribbled off to the right in front of the goal.

Cabrera was there, staring at an empty net, but he whiffed at the shot and Lopez was able to cover the ball.

Late in the second half, Vasquez and Ivan Campos emerged in the Belmont backfield on a two-on-one breakaway. Vasquez attempted to center a pass from the right sideline but hit it to Sentinel defender Manuel Lemus.

“We made the most of our opportunities and they didn’t,” Belmont Coach Nancy Carr-Swain said. “The game was a lot closer than the final score says.”

The Sentinels (21-1-2), who advanced to final for the fourth time in nine seasons, first struck in the 13th minute.

Jose Juarez lined up on the right side of the field for a direct kick from 45 yards. He caught the Sylmar defense off-guard by drilling a shot that curled to the left, dipped at the last second and found the upper right corner of the goal.

“That first goal demoralized us,” Sylmar Coach Manuel Vega said. “It was a hell of a goal. It was like a professional.”

Frustration set in for the Spartans after Juarez added his second goal in the 61st minute. Cabrera and defender Omar Marquez received yellow cards for rough play and did not return.

Eric Hernandez’s goal in the 71st minute put Belmont up, 4-0, finishing off Sylmar’s season.

“We had a good year,” Vega said. “I didn’t expect the team to get this far. I thought we were a .500 team when the season started.”