For Salesian’s Jose Espinoza, soccer is a celebration

Like a home run in baseball or a dunk in basketball, a goal in soccer produces an adrenaline rush that engulfs player and fan alike.

Jose Espinoza of Los Angeles Salesian lives for the moment one of his shots makes it into the net and starts all kinds of commotion.

Two years ago as a freshman, his goal in sudden-death overtime gave Salesian a Southern Section Division V soccer championship.

“I just started screaming,” he said. “It’s the most incredible feeling I’ve had in my life.”

Last year as a sophomore, he had the winning goal in another Division V championship game. He also scored the winning goal in a Southern California Regional championship game.

“He seems to have a nose for the goals, especially in big games,” Coach Mark Johnson said.

They love soccer at Salesian, which won a Southern Section championship in 1964, then had to wait 40 years for another. Espinoza’s goal-scoring ability brought him and the school recognition and respect. He has 22 goals and 11 assists in 16 games this season for Salesian, which is seeded No. 4 in the Division 4 playoffs that begin on Friday.

He’s 5 feet 4, weighs 130 pounds. He came here from Mexico when he was 9. He’s an honor student, but playing soccer is what makes him smile and motivates him to succeed in and outside the classroom.

“The great thing about Jose is, the passion you see on the field you also see in his life,” Johnson said. “He’s a humble kid, polite, respectful. He’s really the kind of kid you want to be able to brag about as a student athlete.”

Espinoza scored seven goals in a half against Long Beach St. Anthony last month. That tied his personal best in a game.

“It is my life,” he said. “It’s how I enjoy myself.”

Pitchers in spotlight

The high school baseball season begins next Friday, in the City Section, and a pair of season openers will feature the rare appearance of four returning All-City pitchers.

It will be Granada Hills Kennedy and pitcher Ryan Cruz taking on defending City Division I champion Woodland Hills El Camino Real and reigning player of the year Jose Cardona at El Camino Real. Then, at 7 p.m. at Lake Balboa Birmingham, San Fernando and pitcher David Lira will oppose Arleta and pitcher Javy Lopez.

The City Section has seven returning All-City pitchers, which should make for an intriguing season considering the new BBCOR bats that are being introduced. It means throwing strikes and playing defense will be more important than ever for a team to reach the championship game on June 4 at Dodger Stadium.

Football replay

Prime Ticket keeps replaying the Northern Division championship game from last fall in which Westlake Village Oaks Christian defeated Westlake, 29-28, when a 41-yard field goal with one second left failed.

“I get nervous every time I watch it,” Oaks Christian Coach Bill Redell said.

But Westlake Coach Jim Benkert has a different feeling.

“I still can’t watch it,” Benkert said. “That’s how hard it was not to win.”

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

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