Saddleback Able to Edge Costa Mesa
A glance at the sidelines after the nonleague boys’ soccer game between Saddleback and Costa Mesa Wednesday at Costa Mesa might have led observers who didn’t know the outcome to draw the wrong conclusions.
Heavily favored Saddleback, ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll, squeaked by, 1-0, on a goal by halfback Alex Licea in the 62nd minute, but the Roadrunners sat in stunned silence.
Costa Mesa (1-4), which lost its fourth consecutive game, slapped high fives and embraced in congratulatory hugs.
“I think they were very fortunate to get away from our place with a victory,” Costa Mesa Coach Mike Dunn said. “We played with a lot of intensity against a quality team and maybe they took us a little lightly.”
Gusty, 30-mph winds wreaked havoc on both teams, and especially hampered the controlled passing attack of Saddleback (5-0-1).
“Every time we put some spin on the ball, the wind would reverse it,” Roadrunner Coach Mel Silva said. “And it caused watery eyes and the kids had a hard time breathing. But [Costa Mesa] hustled. At times they outplayed us.”
Costa Mesa’s best chance came minutes before Licea’s goal. Saddleback goalkeeper Alex Orozco charged out of the goal after a loose ball. The Mustangs couldn’t capitalize, however, as a shot by Jose Perez from 25 yards sailed over the crossbar.
The Roadrunners struck back quickly when George Galvez received a pass in front of the Costa Mesa goal.
Galvez threaded a pass through a crowd to Licea, who spun to his right and beat goalkeeper Cesar Porcayo with a low, hard shot from 15 yards.
“I don’t know how,” Licea said. “I just saw the ball and kicked it.”
Licea was more concerned with what he perceived as a poor performance by the Roadrunners, who were playing their fifth game in five days and are in the middle of a series of seven games in eight days.
“We played really bad,” Licea said. “But winning is winning.”
In other nonleague games:
Bolsa Grande 4, Magnolia 2--Adalberto Zambrano scored two goals and had an assist for Bolsa Grande (2-1-1).
Capistrano Valley 1, Murrieta Valley 1--Capistrano Valley (2-1-2) outshot visiting Murrieta Valley, 16-3, but gave up the tying goal in the final two minutes. Tim Smith scored for the Cougars, when he collided with the Murrieta Valley goalkeeper in the first half and the ball trickled into the net.
Cypress 5, La Quinta 2--Adam Dominguez scored the first and last goals for Cypress (2-2), which led, 4-1, at the half.
El Toro 1, Aliso Niguel 1--Brockton Shermarton scored for the Wolverines in 71st minute, but Kyle Splittgerber tied the score in the 77th minute for the Chargers. Cameron Rossi had 10 saves for El Toro.
La Habra 1, Anaheim 1--Nick Martinez scored off a rebound in the final 10 seconds to tie the score for La Habra (1-1-2). Carlos Avila had given Anaheim (1-2-1) a 1-0 lead with a goal in the first half.
Fountain Valley 2, Laguna Beach 0--Peter Fatzuan had his third shutout and Ryan Lancaster and Cliff McKinley scored for Fountain Valley (5-0).
Marina 2, Villa Park 1--Jerahmey Cunningham scored his third goal of the season for Marina, which improved to 2-3 and topped last season’s victory total of one. Villa Park is 2-2-1.
Ocean View 2, Katella 1--Chris Savage and John Clark scored to lead host Ocean View (2-1). Katella is 0-3-1.
Santa Ana 2, Estancia 2--Santa Ana, ranked fourth in the preseason poll, got a scare as unranked Estancia took an early lead when Esaul Mendoza and Armando Ortiz scored in the first five minutes of the game.
Santa Ana, however, came back with goals from Hector Candelas and Carlos Nava, who tied the score with 15 minutes left in the first half.
Neither team scored in the second half. Hilario Arriaga had four saves for Estancia (0-1-3) and Danny Morales also had four for Santa Ana (2-0-1).
Sonora 7, Valencia 1--Matt McAllister, Nazario Miramontes and Scott White each scored twice for Sonora (1-1), which outscored the Tigers, 5-0, in the second half.