Sanchez Gets First 2 Goals as Zodiac Defeats Jaguars

Rookie midfielder Mario Sanchez took advantage of the struggling California Jaguars, scoring his first two professional goals and leading the Zodiac to a 5-3 A-League soccer victory Sunday at Mission Viejo High School.

The Jaguars (5-16), who at the outset of the season were one of the Pacific Division’s strongest teams, have not won a game since May 13, when they defeated the Zodiac, 4-1.

After that victory, the Jaguars cut 12 salaried players because of financial troubles and replaced them with amateurs. They have lost 11 in a row since.

Sanchez, who had one assist before Sunday, took advantage of the situation and gave the Zodiac a 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes of the game in front of an announced crowd of 526.

“It’s a relief. They were both pretty good goals,” Sanchez said. “I’ve been really disappointed in my performance so far this season.”

Sanchez’s first goal came in the first minute of the game on a give-and-go from midfielder Mark Foster.

Minutes later he took a pass from Brad Wilson on the wing and knocked a shot into the corner past Jaguar goalkeeper Greg Guzman to give the Zodiac a 2-0 lead.

After that, neither team was sharp but the Zodiac (13-9) opened a 5-1 lead thanks in part to being up man for the final 76 minutes.

P.J. Polowski scored two goals and Steve Patterson scored on a penalty kick and assisted on both of Polowski’s goals.

The Jaguars’ first goal came 11 minutes into the second half when Zodiac goalkeeper Mike Littman came out on a ball and got tangled up with two Jaguar players.

Adrian Gonzalez went around the pack and popped the ball in the goal.

The Jaguars picked up the final two goals in the last 11 minutes.

“The game was over from the start. It was never in question,” Zodiac Coach Mike Gartlan said. “We knew we were going to win. These are painful to watch. No one on either side even wanted to be here.”

The Zodiac remains tied for second with Seattle in the Pacific Division. They teams have 37 points. San Diego is in first with 42 points.