LAKE FOREST – The potential is there for the Tesoro boys soccer team. The Titans showed that when Gavin Green sprinted past Jserra’s back line into the final third and Tyler Fithian sent cross after cross into the 6-yard box on Tuesday at Lake Forest Sports Park.
But Tesoro has been struggling to turn chances like those into goals this season, and despite holding a dominating advantage in time of possession, the Titans’ Mustang Cup pool play match with JSerra ended in a scoreless tie
It’s that time of the year when the flu, injuries and club soccer commitments have prevented Tesoro coach Don Skaff from fielding a consistent lineup or one that will resemble what the Titans’ will field when Sea View League play beings in January.
“We will be good this year. But we haven’t had our all of our players together, so we haven’t jelled,” Skaff said. “I was hoping for the tournament to help with that. Weare having a hard time scoring goals right now, but we are solid defensively.”
The Titans (5-2-3) have only conceded four goals in 10 games, and only allowed the Lions (0-1-6) to have one good scoring chance on Tuesday. That came when Joshua Pahomi came into box alone in the 56th minute on a counterattack, but his shot turned into another Tesoro save.
Tesoro, though, didn’t lack opportunities with Dylan Williams and Ryan Estupinan posed the biggest threat.
In the final minute of the first half, Williams fired a shot from 18 yards out, but the ball gazed the crossbar as it sailed out of play.
Estupinan took aim at the Lions in the 61st after Jay Skaff delivered a cross to the near post. Estupinan turned toward the goal while JSerra’s goalkeeper was out of position, Zach Ognall stepped in front of the ball at the last second to preserved the shutout out for the Lions.
The Titans had to play most of the second half without Green, who leads the team with five goals. He limped off the field in the 50th minute with an apparent left ankle injury.
“I am kind of happy with where we are at right now,” Don Skaff said. “I am hoping we peak in league season like we did last year. I know we will get there.”
