Saddleback Edges Servite, Pulls Into Tie for First Place
Desperate to retain its Golden West League title hopes, fourth-ranked Saddleback played its best game of the season, defeating second-ranked Servite, 1-0, Wednesday to force a three-way tie for first with Servite and Santa Ana.
“This way, we still control our own destiny,” Saddleback Coach Mel Silva said. “If we win our last four, we can still win the league.”
Saddleback (16-4-3, 4-1-1) scored with 18 minutes left when Juan Mata headed in a rebound of a long free kick by Alex Licea. Servite goalkeeper James Towers tried to catch Licea’s ball, but he could only deflect it off the crossbar.
“I was trying to touch it behind [Towers],” Licea said. “We were lucky Mata was there to knock it in.”
Licea’s goal was one of several things that frustrated Servite Coach Mike Lussier.
“It was a fluke goal,” Lussier said. “The guy kicked it right into the sun and it went right out of Towers hands to their guy. I’ll give [Licea] credit for having the thought to kick it into the sun.”
But Lussier didn’t give Saddleback credit for much else.
“I thought they flopped and I thought they were dirty,” said Lussier, whose team was whistled for three yellow cards to Saddleback’s two. “It wasn’t soccer out there. On a dry field with decent referees, it would have been a great game.”
Licea said he didn’t understand Lussier’s comments.
“We just played,” he said. “If we lost, that’s it for us. I don’t know, but that’s probably our best game.”
What Saddleback did best was shut down Servite’s all-time leading scorer, Matt Terry, who only got one shot on goal. The Roadrunners also managed to do a decent job of executing their “touch” passing game on a muddy field.
“We sometimes play better when we play against teams who don’t play the touch game like us,” Licea said. “That’s why we always have trouble with Santa Ana.”
Santa Ana handed Saddleback its only league loss. Servite (17-4-3, 4-1-1) has never defeated the Roadrunners in five years of the Golden West League play. Next year, the Friars will join an all-Catholic league.
“It’s disappointing to hear comments like that,” Silva said of Lussier’s remarks. “I think we’ve proven we’re a decent enough team. If it’s not constructive, you probably shouldn’t say anything.”
In other Golden West League games:
No. 3 Santa Ana 1, Westminster 0 (OT)--Santa Ana won with two minutes remaining in overtime. Carlos Nava centered the ball to Hector Candelas, who kicked it past goalkeeper James Daniels. Danny Morales had five saves to earn his fourth shutout for the Saints (11-4-4, 4-1-1).
Tustin 6, Ocean View 0--Freshman Kyle Dixon gave Tustin the only goal it needed six minutes into the game, with a shot into the corner over the head of Ocean View goalkeeper Clay Monroe.
Five minutes later Adrian Monge gave Tustin (5-7, 3-3) a 2-0 lead with another goal over the fingertips of Monroe.
In the second half, Osvaldo Garcia, Jorge Gonzalez, Edgar Vargas and Giovanni Garzona each scored.
Goalkeeper Curt Holman had five saves for Tustin.
Clay Monroe had five saves for Ocean View (0-5-1 in league).
In the Academy League:
St. Margaret’s 5, Downey Calvary Chapel 0--St. Margaret’s (7-8-1, 5-0) dominated the game with 36 shots on goal. Eric Hallenbeck scored in the 28th minute for the visiting Tartans, and St. Margaret’s took a 3-0 halftime lead on goals by Jake Bullock and Brent Comeford.
In the Empire League:
Kennedy 4, Cypress 0--David Keleme started the scoring for host Kennedy and teammates Andy Montanez, Chris Sears and Diego Figueroa capped the scoring. Kennedy is 12-5-1, 3-3.
In the Garden Grove League:
Bolsa Grande 6, La Quinta 1--Bolsa Grande scored five goals in the second half, including two by Adalberto Zambrano. Fernando Granado also had two goals for the Matadors (6-8-3, 3-3-2).
In the Orange League:
Anaheim 1, Western 1--Jorge Hernandez tied the score in the 61st minute for Anaheim (0-2-3 in league). Mike DeForrest scored in the 22nd minute for Western (4-6-2, 1-2-2).
Valencia 4, Savanna 4--Savanna (5-7-2, 2-2-1) rallied from a two-goal deficit and tied the score on Carlos Cortez’s second goal of the game in the 70th minute. David Hernandez also scored two goals for Savanna. Abel Patricio led Valencia (3-8-4, 0-2-3) with two goals.
In the South Coast League:
Trabuco Hills 3, Mission Viejo 2--Mark Jelic scored the winning goal with four minutes remaining for host Trabuco Hills (13-6-4, 3-1-2). Will Beard scored two goals for Mission Viejo (0-4-2 in league).