The boys soccer team secured their final win at their eighth league game with a score of 1-0 against Villa Park High School at Fred Kelly Athletic Stadium in Orange on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
The first half passed with no sign of progress on the scoreboard. It was not until the second half began that the team started gaining momentum.
The game shifted after captain defender senior Jaiden Duran scored a goal with an assist from forward junior Kevin Kim near the 18-yard box, breaking the tie. He said this was a result of his strong determination to enter CIF-SS playoffs.
“[I scored by] not giving up and giving it my all in the game,” Duran said.
Striker senior Mina Besada said he agreed that this play created a difference in the game.
“It was a good shot from [Jaiden], and it was the most important point in the game,” Besada said.
After the goal, the Lancers continued to defend the 18-yard box, blocking Villa Park from scoring. Head coach Jordan Brinkley said one area the team needs to improve on is the ball movement during the match.
“One area we have to improve in is just our possession in our attack, two-player ball movement and movement of the ball,” Brinkley said.
Defender junior Jacob Vasquez said he remembers a few times when the pass was too hard, soft or intercepted.
“It [was] a little frustrating because it [was] the final piece we needed to go and score,” Vasquez said. “But, I tried to applaud [them] and keep momentum going without bringing anyone down,”
Despite these hurdles, the coach said he commends the team for having good defense.
“Most importantly, we defended well, defending the 18-yard box, and we kept a NGA, which is called a No Goals Allowed, which is a shutout,” Brinkley said.
The Lancers finished off their last league game with a final ranking of second place and will enter the CIF-SS playoffs with a game on Thursday, Feb. 13.
