Pelayo Doesn’t Come to Pass, Gets 10 Goals

Carlos Pelayo of Crescenta Valley High likes to share.

Almost to a fault.

“I almost have to get on him to exert himself more offensively because he just wants to help out everybody else and let somebody else set the goal,” Coach Pete Loporchio said.

The reluctant Pelayo had no trouble scoring Tuesday afternoon, getting a season-high 10 goals in the Falcons’ 19-9 victory over visiting Agoura in a nonleague game.

Pelayo scored from two meters, he scored from 10 meters. He scored with a defender on his back. He scored on backhand shots never seeing the goal. He missed only once.

“When he plays like that, he’s one of the top two or three players in our division,” Loporchio said.

Agoura (5-6), playing without Coach Jason Rosenthal because of a death in his family, tried several defenses against Pelayo, none effective.

When the Chargers double-teamed Pelayo, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior, another Falcon exploited the lack of coverage. Jeff Little and Daniel Besedick each had three goals.

“We have a bunch of great outside shooters, perimeter shooters,” Pelayo said. “So once they started to drop off, we have the people that can make them pay.”

Pelayo, a three-year starter who has scored 56 goals in 11 games, scored three of the first four goals for Crescenta Valley (10-1), fueling an 8-5 first-period lead.

“We have other kids who can score, but we know with [Pelayo’s] size and experience, he’s very difficult to stop at two meters,” Loporchio said.

Pelayo was only part of Agoura’s problems.

After the first quarter, the Chargers quickly lost their steam and then their heads. During the break before the fourth period--with Crescenta Valley holding a 13-6 lead--two Agoura players got into a brief shouting match.

“We just lost our mentality. Our guys start to break down as the game went along,” said goalie Justin Rosa, who had 13 saves. “When one goes, they fall like dominoes.”

Agoura, which has three All-Marmonte League players from a 20-8 team last year, has lost three consecutive games and not regained the form it showed last season.

“We’ve had a hard time working as a team,” Rosa said. “We have a lot of good individuals, but a lot of bad teammates.”

Matt Monaco scored four goals and Paul Stewart had two for Agoura.