Santa Ana Rolls Past Trabuco Hills

Trabuco Hills’ youth proved to be no match for seventh-ranked Santa Ana, which rolled to a 4-1 nonleague boys’ soccer victory Wednesday at Trabuco Hills High.

Hector Candelas scored two goals and Juan Reyes and Jose Sorto each scored a goal for the Saints (4-0), ranked ninth in the Southern Section Division I.

The Mustangs, who start seven sophomores and freshman goalie Jay Arnston, fell to 2-2. Their other loss was a 5-2 defeat to El Toro (7-0-1), ranked second in the county.

“We were supposed to play Orange [top-ranked in Orange County] last week too,” Trabuco Hills Coach Brian Fallman said. “We have a young team and wanted to see how we stack up against the best.”

Although Santa Ana’s quickness and ball control kept the Saints in command, Trabuco Hills still had its share of good scoring chances.

“We just didn’t finish them,” Fallman said.

Santa Ana took advantage of its opportunities. Candelas scored on a header in the 13th minute off a crossing pass by Reyes, then in the 33rd minute, Sorto made it, 2-0, scoring from near the top of the penalty area off a crossing pass from Horacio Velasquez.

Candelas and Reyes added second-half goals for the Saints, who generated plenty of scoring chances with their aggressive attack.

“Our offense has been a pleasant surprise,” Santa Ana Coach Manny Penaflor said. “I didn’t think we’d be so far along this early.”

Santa Ana pushes forward because its defense is anchored by goalie Eddie Contreras, who had 15 shutouts last season. Contreras has two shutouts this season and had a potential third broken up early in the second half.

Trabuco Hills junior Jay Hunger scored off a rebound in the 44th minute to make it, 3-1, but the Mustangs drew no closer.

“Santa Ana is very good,” Fallman said. “That’s where we want to be.”