Capistrano Valley Fights Off Injuries, Saddleback to Win
Capistrano Valley lost top goal-scorer Brent Barnes to a recurring hamstring injury in the 21st minute, striker Greg Robertson, who got a red card after an awkward tackle from behind, in the 66th minute, and starting defender Eric Linville in the 67th minute when he slid out of bounds and slammed the back of his head into an aluminum bench.
But the Cougars managed to limp to a 2-1 victory over Saddleback in the second round of the Division I boys’ soccer playoffs Wednesday at Capistrano Valley High in game that was delayed for 35 minutes while paramedics checked out Linville. He was taken to San Clemente Hospital and Medical Center for observation and was released, Capistrano Valley Coach Ron Willms said.
After a scoreless first half during which the Cougars (22-4-5) created a number of good scoring chances and the Roadrunners (10-9-4) managed only one shot, Capistrano Valley increased the pressure on Saddleback goalkeeper Emillano Correa, who kept popping up in the right place at the right time to make key saves.
“I couldn’t believe the number of opportunities we had,” Willms said.
The Cougars finally broke through in the 64th minute when midfielder John Fincher won the battle in the air for Casey McConnell’s 35-yard free kick into the penalty area. Fincher flicked the ball backward to forward Garrett Petry, who steered it inside the far post.
Capistrano Valley didn’t seem to lose any momentum during the lengthy delay, although it was playing a man down. The Cougars resumed the attack and in the 76th minute, midfielder Freddy Rivera surprised everyone--certainly Correa--when he launched a 40-yard laser that rocketed just beyond Correa’s reach into the top corner of the net.
“That’s Freddy,” Willms said. “He’s done that at least three other times this year. He’s way out there and all of sudden, ka-boom.”
The goal turned out to be the best kind of insurance. With one minute left in the game, Saddleback’s Chris Hernandez ran down a long ball sent over the top of the Cougar defense and his right-footed blast bounded off the turf and into the net.
Capistrano Valley will travel to Los Alamitos to play the Sunset League champions in the quarterfinals Friday.
