No. 4 Mater Dei Has an Easy Tuneup

Fourth-ranked Mater Dei tuned up for its Friday showdown with top-ranked Santa Margarita by dominating eighth-ranked Servite, 3-0, Wednesday in a Serra League boys’ soccer opener.

The Monarchs (20-3-1, 1-0) jumped on visiting Servite (15-4-3, 0-1) early, getting two goals from junior Ruben Rosales in the first 13 minutes and another from Kevin Novak in the 30th minute. They outshot Servite, 17-6, and took the game’s first eight shots on goal.

“We let them do exactly what they wanted to offensively and we didn’t stick to our game plan,” said Servite Coach Mike Lussier, who was missing four injured starters. “They’re strong everywhere. I really didn’t see a weakness.”

Rosales scored his first goal unassisted in the 10th minute as he took a pass at midfield, dribbled down the left side and easily beat goalkeeper James Towers with a left-footed bouncer across the goal. Three minutes later, Rosales took a centering pass from Matt Doty and scored his 16th of the season with a right-footed blast from 10 yards.

“Ruben took his chances well,” Mater Dei Coach Martin Stringer said. “We don’t have any stars on this team. Today, it was Ruben’s turn.”

Said Rosales: “We came out very well. We felt comfortable with each other and converted our chances.”

Novak made it 3-0 when he hammered a loose ball past Towers from 12 yards out. Mater Dei’s attack slowed some in the second half, but Servite never did create many opportunities.

Sweeper Rawlston Masaniai and stopper Luis Inga frustrated Servite’s leading scorers Jeff Murphy and Matt Kubota, who never came close to threatening Mater Dei goalkeeper Radames Lafaurie.

Mater Dei should have it much tougher Friday when it hosts Santa Margarita.

“I wish I could watch that game,” Lussier said. “But we’ve got a game of our own to play.”