ANAHEIM – Scoring goals is not a role Servite boys soccer coach Jon Spencer said he envisioned for Wilbert Valle.
Spencer would rather see the senior forward provide the assists that set up the goals. But he is such a technically well-rounded player and tireless hard worker that whenever he touches the ball, the Friars seem to be a much more dangerous team.
On Friday, he put the Friars on track to win their fourth consecutive Trinity League championship.
He darted around a pair of Santa Margarita defenders standing in the box in the 16th minute and tapped in a shot inside the far post for his 17th goal of the season and delivering a 1-0 triumph against the visiting Eagles.
The victory moved No. 2 Servite (18-4-2, 6-2) to the top of the standings, one point ahead of No. 3 Santa Margarita (13-4-4, 5-1-2) and St. John Bosco, which are tied for second.
“We haven’t put any pressure on him to score goals, but he has done what we needed him to do this season,” Spencer said. “He has some special skills.”
The Eagles and Friars will meet in the regular-season finale on Thursday at Santa Margarita, the winner likely claiming the Trinity League championship.
Spencer said this was the “most Servite-like” performance during Trinity League play, meaning the Friars played gritty, lock-down defense, which resulted in the team’s ninth shutout of the season.
“Our guys fought hard and they did what we asked them to do the past couple of weeks,” Spencer said. “We got a good result because of it.”
Santa Margarita coach Wade Fraser said the Eagles seemed to be a bit intimidated in the first 20 minutes, playing on the road against a team that has frequently been No. 1 in the CIF-SS poll.
“And that is what led to the goal,” Fraser said. “The thing that we were trying to preach all week long is we are good enough where we could come in here and not be intimidated, but there was an intimidation factor.”
Once the Eagles settled down the momentum started to swing their way. The Eagles’ Kyle Carey twice came within inches of scoring on a free kick. But his shot in the 39th minute hit the far post and his 30-yard try in the 50th was a bit too wide.
“This was a big game and it would have done a lot for us in the standings,” Fraser said. “But we still have our destiny in hands.”
Contact the writer: ddottore@scng.com
