Burroughs boys’ soccer rallies to tie El Camino Real

Burbank — Both Burroughs High’s boys’ soccer team and its opponent El Camino Real took their first dip into pool play in the Ralph Brandt Tournament looking for win No. 1 of the new season.

Late in the contest, the Indians were staring down defeat before clawing back to salvage a 1-1 draw against the visiting Conquistadors Thursday evening at Memorial Field.

PHOTOS: Burroughs plays to a 1-1 draw against El Camino Real

“El Camino is a great team, so to open up the tournament playing a team of that caliber you have to play well,” Burroughs Coach Michael Kodama said. “Our guys had to work really hard to come back, so I’m really proud of them today.”

Trailing, 1-0, with less than five minutes to play, Burroughs (0-1-1) finally broke through against El Camino Real (0-1-1) when Mitchell Kodama scored the equalizer. Following a long throw-in from the opposite side of the pitch, the ball bounced around between the players before the senior tracked it down and knocked it into the goal to draw even.

“The ball just bounced in the box and I saw the goalie coming in towards me and I just hit the ball toward the net and hoped it went in,” Mitchell Kodama said.

After that, the Indians had a couple more prime scoring chances, but could not get another goal and had to settle for the tie.

“This game was just going to be gritty with two teams battling all over the field,” coach Kodama said. “Both teams were really organized on defense and hard to break down and I think that is part of it. But getting that goal and then all of a sudden there is a flood of chances after that. It would have been nice to finish one of those, but it didn’t happen.”

The Indians defense absorbed a consistent onslaught from the Conquistadors attack, giving up the lone goal in the 43rd minute to ECR’s Andy Garcia. Garcia was assisted on the score by David Hussey, who took the ball deep down the left side before striking a low cross that went untouched across the face of the goalmouth to Garcia, who hit it in on his first touch for the lead.

“It is just mental,” said Josh Sanchez, who along with Cade Borland anchored the back of the Indians defense. “You have to be aware that you can get caught slacking off. You have to be aware the entire time and you have to trust the guys around you.”

El Camino Real dictated the flow of action and dominated possession in the first half, but the Indians defense held the visitors scoreless. At the break, ECR had outshot Burroughs, 7-0, before the teams came up with seven shots apiece in the second.

“I think we deserved the goal because we battled all game,” Indian Richard Alonzo said. “I think we started under attack, but in the end I think we deserved that goal.”

Up next for both teams will be a match-up against the third and final member of the group, North Hollywood. ECR will get first crack Friday before Burroughs gets its chance at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, with both games happening at Memorial Field.

“We’ll come back on Saturday and play North Hollywood and they are another good team,” coach Kcdama said. “There are no easy teams in the tournament. I mean, El Camino won our tournament last year, so first game we open up with them. That is what makes it fun, too.”