Friars’ Luck Runs Out in Semifinal

Servite had all the motivation in the second half of its Southern Section Division IV boys’ soccer game against San Marino Tuesday. Unfortunately, the Friars just didn’t have any luck.

Chris Edmonds scored the go-ahead goal in the 77th minute off a defensive mistake and third-seeded San Marino advanced to the championship game with a 3-2 victory at Servite. It was one of the few scoring opportunities San Marino had in the second half.

“I think we dominated the second half and just got unlucky on a defensive breakdown,” senior forward Matt Terry said.

The winning goal came when Miguel Alverez fired a low shot from 40 yards that rebounded off the shin of freshman goalkeeper James Towers and rolled out front to Edmonds, who scored easily.

“The freshman has been doing awesome for us, he had a great year and he’s going to have another great three years coming up,” Terry said. “I see him getting All-American by the time he’s a senior. It’s unfortunate though it had to have ended like that.”

The second-seeded Friars (23-6-3), who lost to Santa Margarita in the semifinals last season, played the second half without senior forward Javier Vallejo. Vallejo was knocked unconscious just before halftime after a collision with San Marino goalkeeper David Schubel during a corner kick.

Vallejo began convulsing as he lay just inside the San Marino goal. He was unresponsive for several minutes, but by the time paramedics arrived he was awake and moving his arms and legs. Vallejo was taken to UCI Medical Center and Coach Mike Lussier said he had a concussion and would remain hospitalized overnight.

“I came out for a cross and my knee hit him right in the face,” Schubel said. “I was scared and it wasn’t even one of my players.”