Sislian scores four in Hoover soccer’s win over Burbank

Romio Sislian and his Hoover High boys’ soccer teammates endured a first half of missed opportunities Friday afternoon against Burbank.

In the second half, however, Hoover got its offense rolling.

The Tornadoes scored three goals in the first 13 minutes of the second half and received four goals from Sislian to earn a 5-0 Pacific League victory against visiting Burbank.

With a barrage of shots over the course of the first 40 minutes, only a goal my Sislian off an assist from Tigran Hovhannisyan in the 23rd minute was scored.

“My concern after that first half was that we’re all human and any mistake you can concede a goal,” Hoover Coach Ace Metallinos said. “ In that first half, we had opportunity after opportunity.

“The rule of soccer is if you don’t finish you’re going to concede. I’m just glad that didn’t happen to us.”

Hoover (8-3-2, 2-1-1 in league) dictated the tempo of the match from the opening whistle. Burbank (0-6-2, 0-4 in league) was unable to generate many scoring opportunities throughout the contest, especially in the second half.

“They created more opportunities than we did,” Burbank assistant coach Michael Alcarez said. “Our team wants to play. It’s been a tough start for us so far, but there’s still plenty of soccer left in the season.”

In the first half, Burbank received hard shots on goal from Andy Cardenas in the ninth and 26th minutes, but both attempts were turned aside by Hoover goalkeeper Anthony Flores.

The Tornadoes had plenty of chances to add to their lead, including an open header by Jesus Rodriguez that missed wide left on an open net in the 38th minute. Sislian also banked a header off the crossbar in the 33rd minute.

Hoover came out motivated in the second half.

“We knew that the goals were going to come,” Sislian said. “I have confidence in myself and I have confidence in my teammates. We knew we jut had to keep doing what we were doing and it would be fine.

“With something like that, we just never give up.”

Sislian scored six minutes into the second half, Hovhannisyan found the back of the net in the 51st minute and Sislian struck again two minutes later to give the Tornadoes a 4-0 advantage.

Sislian finished his onslaught with a goal in the 76th minute.

Burbank had no legitimate scoring opportunities in the second half and just one shot on goal in the stanza.

“I asked our guys to step up on defense,” Metallinos said. “We knew we were going to score some goals, but the challenge was to not concede any goals. We were able to do that. I think that shows that we’re good on both sides of the ball.”