Buena Dazzled by Cervantes While Rio Mesa Advances, 3-2

David Cervantes beat charging goalkeeper Lani Kaluna with the winning goal in the 67th minute Saturday, lifting Rio Mesa High to a 3-2 boys’ soccer victory over Buena in a Southern Section Division II first-round playoff game.

The Spartans (18-3-5), Pacific View League champions, advanced to a second-round game Tuesday against Hart at a site to be determined by a coin flip. Buena, the Channel League’s third-place team, finished 15-5-6.

Cervantes, a senior with 22 goals, scored his second of the game after taking a pass from Mike Alexander and escaping Buena sweeper Josh Boys, who could not maintain hold of Cervantes’ jersey as the two bore down on Kaluna at the top of the penalty area.

Cervantes’ first goal, which gave Rio Mesa a 2-1 halftime lead, came in the 33rd minute and was even more impressive. On that play Cervantes, standing at the top of the penalty area and with his back to the Bulldog goal, received a pass from Ivan Medina with his chest before sending a bicycle kick over a stunned defense.

“David’s incredible,” said Coach Brent Kruk of Rio Mesa, who has watched Cervantes score a school-record 62 goals. “Half the shots he makes you wonder how they went in.”

Buena led, 1-0, in the ninth minute after Ryan Sautter scored from 25 yards. Bryan Monka pulled the Spartans even nine minutes before halftime when he headed in Medina’s corner kick.

Brad Workman brought the Bulldogs into a 2-2 tie five minutes into the second half with his 18th goal.