SANTA ANA – Godinez boys soccer coach Ruben Fernandez has been trying to change the way that Bryan Ibarra approaches the game.
There’s no doubt the senior forward knows how to score goals. He knocked in 27 of them last season, but sometimes, Frenandez said, Ibarra has a tendency to try and do to much and be the one who always lights up the scoreboard for the Grizzlies.
This winter, though, Fernandez said he wants to see Ibarra look for his teammates more often, and produces some goals with his passes.
“And I am already starting to see a change,” Fernandez said
Just eight minutes into the Grizzlies’ season opener, Ibarra fired a cross to the far side of the box where Cesar Martinez was waiting to give the Grizzlies a lead that they would never give up as they cruised to a 5-1 victory against Dana Hills in an Aliso Cup pool play match at Santa Ana Valley on Tuesday.
“Personally, I am coming out here trying to be a better team player, and play with my team and have some fun and get some assists,” Ibarra said. “And score some goals too.”
Ibarra had no trouble finding the back of the net on Tuesday, scoring three goals. Neither did Martinez. He scored the other two goals for Godinez.
Nick Wagener knocked in a penalty kick for Dana Hills in the 79th minute to se the final margin. Up until that point, the Dolphins (1-1) had put only one shot on goal.
Throughout much of the first half, Ibarra had no trouble finding space on the left side of the field and in the 18th minute, he used a couple of quick moves to slip past the Dolphins’ defenders and squeeze a shot between Dana Hills goal keeper Alan Diaz and the near post. That put Godinez up 2-0
He added his second goal in the final minute of the first half, and then in the 43rd minute, he collected a rebound at the top of the box after Diaz stopped a Roberto Arzate shot and gave the Grizzlies a 4-0 lead.
Ibarra headed to the bench shortly thereafter. He just started training with the team as he has spent the past few weeks recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand. He suffered the injury while playing quarterback on the Godinez football team.
“For him (Ibarra), the sky is the limit,” Fernandez said. “He is a senior now and has all the experience. If he stays focused and keeps working hard and has no injuries issues, he will have another great season.”
Contact the reporter: ddottore@scng.com
