Streaking Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer keeps Burbank winless

BURBANK — In its final match before taking a break for the holidays, the Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer team was looking to remain unbeaten.

For Burbank, it was fighting to earn its first win of the season with a depleted squad.

Bolstered by a fine effort from its defense and midfield, along with goalkeeper Zak Beshir, Flintridge Prep clamped down on the Bulldogs and offered few scoring chances.

In a game played in a steady rain and slippery conditions, the Rebels scored the winning goal early in the second half to earn a 2-1 victory against the host Bulldogs.

“It feels good to go into the break undefeated,” said Flintridge Prep Coach AJ Yates, whose squad improved to 5-0-1 and got goals from Garrett Gaines and Ramzi Beshir. “I thought that we limited their chances and we connected pretty well. We did get sloppy at times, but that happens.

“We’re playing good soccer right now and we’re playing a lot better at this point of the season than we were last year. We just have to clean up some communication stuff.”

The Rebels defense has allowed just five goals in six contests.

That defense and midfield, with contributions from Spencer Harris, Ben Ventresca, Nick Klatsky, Andrew Lathrop, Aidan Boyle and Aidan Schrader, helped the Rebels control much of the action against Burbank (0-4-2).

“To have the defense that I have in front of me, it makes me feel confident in goal,” said Beshir, who has taken over this season following the graduation of All-CIF goalkeeper Hamilton Evans. “The defense as a whole is very solid and that allows me to play better I think.

“But it’s not only the defense that has stepped up for us, really the whole team has been playing together. We have a young team with, I think, three freshmen starting, so to be as successful as we have this early in the season is very encouraging.”

In the 12th minute, Flintridge Prep’s Simon Siskel sent a pass down the left side that was controlled 55 yards from the Burbank goal by Gaines. Gaines dribbled in deep, split two Bulldogs defenders, slowed down and rifled a shot for a goal into the upper right corner.

Burbank’s best chance to score in the opening half came in the 32nd minute. Beshir came off his line to cut down the angle on Bulldog Allen Arsenian. The keeper fell down trying to make a stop and Arsenian dribbled around him and took a shot on the unprotected goal. However, Boyle came streaking in and kicked the ball away, saving what looked to be a sure goal.

“If you don’t take the opportunities that you get, you can’t win,” said Burbank assistant Michael Alcarez, who was filling in for Loi Phan. “We had some opportunities and we weren’t able to finish them.

“Flintridge came out to play today and they’re a solid team. The good thing is that it’s still early in the season and I get to see different guys in case we need them later in the season.”

Burbank tied the score, 1-1, seven minutes into the second half on a penalty kick that was converted by Calleen Navasartian.

But Flintridge Prep struck just four minutes later with the eventual winning goal in the 51st minute. Rebel Tim Treinen got the ball on the right side and delivered a perfect cross to Beshir, who blasted it in for the goal.

Burbank had a prime chance with one minute remaining when Navasartian got behind the defense and fired a ball that went past the charging goalkeeper. However, the shot went just wide left.