DOWNEY – San Clemente had a lead. It just never really had control.
The Tritons’ valiant run to defend their CIF-SS Division 1 title ended in the finals, where they lost to top-seeded Loyola of Los Angeles, 3-1, Saturday at Warren High.
It was the first time all season third-seeded San Clemente had surrendered three goals in a game.
“They had a better run of play,” San Clemente coach Mike Pronier said. “They’re a team that’s going to play for 80 minutes and that’s why they’re undefeated this season. That’s hard to keep up with unless you do the same thing.”
The Tritons (25-3-1) survived a first half in which they needed multiple diving saves from goalkeeper Cole Martinez. He stopped a shot on goal 80 seconds in and added another save a few minutes later. Loyola (27-0-6) had at least five more close calls in a scoreless first half.
“Our goalkeeper had a great game,” Pronier said. “He kept us in it.”
San Clemente forward Bryce Kaminski scored the game’s opening goal in the 46th minute. With Oscar Hernandez running past a free kick, Santiago DiGiuseppe laid it out for Kaminski, who knocked it in from just outside the box.
Loyola responded with two goals in the next six minutes.
The first one came from forward Jesus Fugon, his dart from 35 yards sailing just above the head of Martinez, who tipped it into the net. A minute later, midfielder Ryan Savitt recovered a deflection about 10 yards out and scored to make it 2-1.
In the 70th minute, the South Coast League champions made a final push to tie it. DiGiuseppe attempted a shot from inside the box that Loyola goalie Carl Rubschlager got just enough of to tip past the top of the crossbar.
Less than a minute later, Loyola’s Lucas Hodges gained possession deep in the box and scored easily to seal the victory.
Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com