Semifinal Doesn’t Bounce Burroughs’ Way, 1-0

The posts and crossbar may be a goalkeeper’s best friends, but they were archenemies to the Burroughs High boys’ soccer team Saturday.

The Indians, hosting their own tournament and playing Anaheim Servite in a championship semifinal, hit each post with a shot and the crossbar twice in a 1-0 loss.

Servite (6-0) advances to face Royal (3-0) in the tournament’s title game Monday at 7:30 p.m. Burroughs (2-1-2) will play Crespi (3-1) in the third-place game Monday at 4:30 p.m.

Burroughs was on its heels for the first 20 minutes Saturday against its large and aggressive opponent. But the diminutive Indians showed impressive toughness by seizing the momentum before halftime and exploding at the start of the second half.

In the first nine minutes after the break, Burroughs outshot Servite, 9-0, hit a post and the crossbar and forced Friar goalkeeper Morgan Janssen to make three saves.

But the failure to capitalize cost the Indians 12 minutes into the second half, when Javier Vallejo settled a 30-yard free kick in the penalty area and scored his fifth goal from 10 yards.

In the tournament’s other semifinal, Royal defeated Crespi, 3-1.

Jake Van Sloten gave Royal a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute when he scored out of a goalmouth scramble. Dan Wilson volleyed in a throw-in from Bryan Brooks seven minutes later for a 2-0 halftime lead.

Erick Balderrama scored for Crespi.