Saddleback’s Inexperience Helps Fountain Valley Advance

Fountain Valley took advantage of an inexperienced Saddleback goalkeeper Tuesday to win, 2-0, and roll into the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division I boys’ soccer playoffs.

The visiting Barons (18-5-3) were led by Cliff McKinley, who scored both goals in the second half. McKinley’s first goal came on a breakaway at the 55:40 mark. Roadrunner goalkeeper Jose Carrion left his position and challenged McKinley 15 yards in front of the net. McKinley went to his right, ran past him and found an open net for the first goal.

“I was taking that ball in all the way. I knew I had somebody over on my other side, but I was taking it in myself,” McKinley said.

The final goal came at 60:54, when McKinley recovered his own missed attempt and drilled a shot from 10 yards past Carrion, who was out of position after stopping McKinley’s first shot.

“I was taking that ball in too. All I had to do was put it into the back of the net for the score. He couldn’t do anything about it,” McKinley said.

Roadrunner Coach Mel Silva said he was concerned about having to start Carrion against the Barons because Carrion was nervous before the game.

“He was worried and a little nervous. He’s only played a total of three or four games the entire season. When Efrain [Rodriguez], our starter, injured his knee against Santa Ana Valley we were left with no choice. That’s the way things go,” Silva said.

The Roadrunners (13-3-7) had plenty of scoring opportunities in the match but could not capitalize. “Sometimes it is just better to be lucky than good. Today, they were lucky and we were not. We had so many chances to score, but we couldn’t put the ball in the goal,” Silva said.

“Jose only made one mistake and that’s when he came out and tried to play the ball too far in front of the goal. Other than that, he played very well.”

Although the Barons have advanced to the quarterfinals, Coach Kevin Smith said there is no reason to get comfortable, because there is still a lot of work to do. No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Santa Ana is still out there playing. “They’re the team. We tied them earlier in the year, but we would like a shot at them again,” Smith said.

Fountain Valley faces Esperanza, a 2-1 winner over Capistrano Valley, in the quarterfinals Thursday.

In another Division I game:

Santa Ana 4, Chino Hills Ayala 1--Juan Reyes scored three goals in the second half for second-seeded Santa Ana (19-0-4). Reyes has scored five goals in two playoff games. Santa Ana will play Damian in the quarterfinal.