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Damian Dottore. Sports. HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SAN CLEMENTE – San Clemente is not used to being in this position, still trying to learn the system almost a month into the boys soccer season.

After losing four returning starters to the academies, the Tritons are an inexperienced bunch, lacking the leadership they had in past championship-winning season when 10 or 11 returning lettermen. Only five players returned to the lineup this season.

Sometimes this season, the Tritons’ immaturity has shown on the field, especially in tight games

“The inexperience leads to mistakes, and that is what we are trying to do now is minimizing the mistakes,” San Clemente coach Mike Pronier said. “When have expectations for kids, sometimes you find yourself getting disappointed. But they are trying. They just need to realize their potential. This team can do great things.”

Tyler Bagley proved that on Thursday during the first round of the Lotto Sport Western Showcase, his two goals leading the host Tritons to a 3-1 victory against Century.

 Matias Ledesma scored what turned out to be the game winner in the 17th minute, flicking the ball inside the right post to put the Tritons up, 2-0.

A penalty kick or set piece accounted for all for the scoring in the game.

 “They are starting to realize that this is a bit more serious than they might have thought initially,” Pronier said. “They just need to focus and bring their work rate every day.”

Century coach Bruce Silverman said the Centurions had a hard time dealing with the physical, high-pressure nature of the match. San Clemente, he said, is so big, strong and fast that “we never had time to do what we to do.”

In the 38th minute, senior midfielder Amirgy Pineda cut the Tritons’ lead in half, curling a free kick around the wall and under the arms of Bradley Zieminski, who tried to make a diving save for the Tritons.

Two of Pineda’s free kicks earlier in the first half came close to producing a goal too. His shot from just out side the box sailed inches above the crossbar. And his 40-yard free kick about a minute later barely missed landing on Brian Rojas’ head as he made a near post run.

 “It was a choppy game,” Pronier said. “Even though we were up 2-0 we were never able to put the ball down and played at all. It was a different game.”