Garfield, Belmont Share Title After Scoreless Tie

Garfield High, unable to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities, settled for a scoreless tie with Belmont Saturday and a share of the City Section boys’ soccer title at East L.A. College.

Garfield (15-1-6) and Belmont (21-1-3) are the first City co-champions since the Bulldogs and Kennedy shared the title in 1984.

Garfield forward Christian Vidal missed on four scoring attempts in regulation, three on direct free kicks, the other, from five yards out, sailed wide of the goal.

But the one he’d like to have back occurred with about two minutes remaining in the first five-minute sudden death overtime, when he failed to get a crisp shot off on a breakaway. His attempt rolled into the hands of Belmont goalie, Manuel Lopez.

“I should have made that breakaway,” Vidal said. “There was a defender pressuring me from behind and I shot the ball earlier than I wanted.

“I hit the ball well on all of my free kicks, but couldn’t get any to go in. That’s how it happens sometimes.”

For Belmont, the tie was at least a moral victory.

“We were fortunate to get the tie with all the scoring chances they had,” Belmont Coach Nancy Carr-Swaim said. “We didn’t mean to give up so many scoring opportunities, but our defense came through when they had to. We’re happy to share the title with them.”

Belmont’s best scoring chance came in the first sudden death when Rafael Bautista missed from seven yards out.

“We missed a lot of good opportunities we usually make,” said Garfield Coach Gerardo Campos. “We’re still happy to be co-champs.”