SAN CLEMENTE – Jake Carter wasn’t the tallest player on the field, barely coming up to the shoulders of some Mission Viejo players as they lined up in front of the goal for a corner kick.
But Carter couldn’t have played a bigger role for San Clemente during a South Coast League boys soccer match Wednesday night at San Clemente High.
Twice in a span of 30 seconds, he made leaping one-handed saves, and those two stops were crucial for the No. 3 Tritons as they earned a 0-0 draw with Mission Viejo.
“That goalkeeper they got in there is something special,” Mission Viejo coach Roger Castle said of Carter. “He did well.”
Carter didn’t start for San Clemente (8-3-5, 0-0-1). He entered the game after Cameron Dickie suffered an injury to his right ribs early in the first half.
Carter finished with four saves.
“He made two great saves. He is a great shot stopper,” San Clemente coach Mike Pronier said.
Carter first turned away the Diablos (6-5-3, 1-0-1) in the 53rd minute when Noah Covarrubias headed a Daniel Valiente corner kick to the near post. Before he could get his feet set, he was jumping through the air again to stop another shot.
The Tritons have given up five goals in their past 11 games, posting six shutouts during that span.
“Defense is solid,” Pronier said. “Both teams were going at it.”
Contact the writer: ddottore@scng.com
