Santa Ana Wins Championship

Santa Ana won its first men’s soccer state championship since 1995 with a convincing 5-0 victory over Santa Barbara in the final Sunday at West Valley College in Saratoga.

Fernando Rico had a goal and an assist and tournament MVP Tomas Serna also scored for Santa Ana (22-1-3), which dominated Santa Barbara (20-3-2).

“It was our best effort of the year,” Santa Ana Coach J.P. Frutos said. “We were completely focused on the task at hand. We had crisp passing, we were taking advantage of every opportunity to score and we had a very stingy defense.”

Goalkeeper Sergio Viera posted his ninth shutout for Santa Ana, which outshot Santa Barbara, 14-3.

Rico gave Santa Ana a 1-0 lead with an unassisted goal in the seventh minute from 20 yards. Serna added an unassisted goal in the 22nd minute from 18 yards.

Alex Garcia scored Santa Ana’s first second-half goal off Rico’s assist in the 53rd minute.