Foothill’s Run Ends With an Overtime Loss to San Marcos

The Foothill boys’ soccer team had been living off its strong defense in the Southern Section Division II playoffs, but even Coach Barry Turner knew that sooner or later a breakdown was possible.

And third-seeded Santa Barbara San Marcos, was ready to pounce when it finally did happen three minutes into overtime in Tuesday’s semifinal.

That goal, combined with another in the second overtime, was enough for the Royals to pull out a 2-0 victory at San Marcos High.

The victory advanced the Royals into their first final, against Sunny Hills on Friday or Saturday at Cerritos Gahr.

San Marcos (23-2-4) broke the scoreless tie when Foothill defenders could not clear out a ball that Nathan Ritzau had worked deep into the Knights’ end. Foothill had two chances to clear it, but when Ritzau regained control of the ball, he sent a short pass inside the box and right to Brad Van Pelt, who put it past Foothill goalkeeper Nick Adams.

“They play very direct and they bombard you with long balls,” said Turner of San Marcos’ offense. “And then we make a mistake on the ground. You can’t play great defense all the time, but one mistake cost us.”

It spoiled a 12-save effort by Adams and a strong game by defender John Rodriguez, who cleared out several scoring chances by the Royals.

San Marcos, which had a goal called back in the 50th minute of regulation on an offsides call, scored its second goal in the more traditional style as the ball was kicked to Chris Clester, who shot the ball into an open net with seven minutes left in the final overtime period.

Foothill (15-8-6) had 10 shots on goal in the game and even had a few opportunities late in the second overtime.

The overtime loss was Foothill’s first this season. The Knights, who reached the semifinal round for the first time since 1985, had won two of their three previous playoff games--against Norco and Orange--in sudden-death overtime.

In the other Division II game:

Sunny Hills 1, Riverside Poly 0--Sophomore Ashley Hendry made six saves in his second consecutive shutout of the playoffs as the Lancers knocked off the top-seeded Bears (25-2-1). Sunny Hills (15-10-3) shut out Woodbridge in the quarterfinals.

Vincent Montes scored the winner with three minutes remaining off a header from Danny Crosley.