Falcons Hold Off Orange

As the whistle blew on Santa Ana Valley’s 3-2 victory over visiting Orange Wednesday, Orange sweeper Danny Califf pleaded for more time from the referee. Califf and many of his teammates complained that Santa Ana Valley was using stalling tactics for much of the second half.

Afterward, Califf seemed to be pleading for an older and faster team. Califf, forward Alex Garcia and midfielder Jose Velasquez are all that remain from Orange’s Division II Southern Section championship team of two years ago, and Eric Van Veen is the Panthers’ third coach in the three seasons.

“We didn’t play that well today,” Califf said. “We certainly had our chances. I’m really disappointed, because we had our chances. We have a lot of inexperience and we don’t have much speed.”

Orange took a 1-0 lead 18 minutes into the game when Garcia headed in a long ball from Califf, but Valley scored twice before the half. Halfback Osvaldo Cornejo tied it on a 20-yard blast past a diving Orange goalkeeper Jose Martinez. Aaron Barragan put Valley ahead three minutes before the half, when he tipped in a perfect crossing pass from Roberto Blanco.

Orange’s best chance to tie came on Califf’s hooking drive on an indirect kick with 20 minutes left to play. The shot curved around five Valley players and was barely deflected away by Valley goalkeeper Enio Bravo.

“I told our players before the game not to foul within 40 yards because I know how strong Califf’s leg is,” Valley Coach Adnan Bayati said. “He’s a great player.”

Cornejo’s second goal put Valley ahead, 3-1, with three minutes remaining, when he easily beat Martinez on a breakaway. Garcia scored Orange’s second goal with a minute left, but there was not enough time left for the Panthers to get another shot on goal.

Valley improved to 9-6-1, 3-1. Orange is 8-6, 2-2.