CORONA – The St. Margaret’s boys soccer team reluctantly posed for a team photo, not having much to smile about, and then exchanged a few hugs before walking off the field at Corona High.
This was not how the Tartans thought their season was going to end.
After holding its previous four playoff opponents scoreless, the Tartans gave up two goals Saturday and eventually lost the CIF-SS Division 6 championship match to Animo Leadership of Inglewood on penalty kicks, 5-4.
“There has to be a winner and a loser, and doing it on PKs … is a tough way to lose a game,” St. Margaret’s coach Andrew May said after the Tartans (21-2-6) and Aztec Eagles (15-6-7) played to a 2-2 tie. “But this (making to the championship) was a big accomplishment for this team. … Obviously, we didn’t get the win, but this is still a good way to end the season.”
Defense was a strength for the Tartans throughout the season, as they posted shutouts in 18 of 29 matches, but twice Saturday the Tartans had to play from behind.
In the 27th minute, Fernando Robledo bounced a shot over Angel Ceballos as the Tartans keeper dived to make a save. The goal, which put the Aztec Eagles in front, 1-0, was the first that the Tartans had allowed in more than 500 minutes of game time.
Then in the 63rd minute, Eduardo Fuentes knocked in a David Esparza free kick to put Animo Leadership up, 2-1.
Luis Ceballos and Dane Lind both scored for the Tartans. Lind’s goal came off a penalty kick with seven minutes remaining after Jorge Hernandez was pushed down in the box. Lind picked up the assist on Ceballos’ goal with his corner kick to the far side of the 6-yard box.
Had it not been for a well-timed leap in the 13th minute by Animo keeper Omar Dardon, the match might not have gone to overtime. Dardon stopped Luis Ceballos’ shot, trapping the ball between his hand and the left post before hauling it in to make the save.
Contact the writer: ddottore@ocregister.com
