Injuries and illness finally took its toll on the University boys soccer team, leaving it a step behind Norwalk, which edged the host Trojans, 1-0, in Saturday’s CIF-SS Division 4 quarterfinal match.
University (19-2-3) was missing four starters and two of the players in the starting lineup, Coach Martin Wallwork said, have been bedridden for three days with flu-like symptoms.
And then, five minutes before halftime, the Trojans’ team captain and center back, Zach Howard, had to leave the game with a hamstring injury.
In University’s game on Thursday, Wallwork had to go deep into the bench, too, needing to replace five injured players.
“And they gave everything they had, and that took it out of them,” Wallwork said. “We didn’t look sharp today. We looked heavy-legged, and we couldn’t put it together. Losing our center back just before halftime was too big a loss to absorb.”
And in the first minute of overtime, the Trojans makeshift back line couldn’t hold off the Lancers (18-6-1) any longer, allowing Rudy Cruz to curl a 20-yard shot inside the far post.
“It is a tough way to go out,” Wallwork said. “But we won it on a golden goal the other day, so we have been on both sides. It has been a great season. Making it to the quarterfinals for a team that only starts three seniors is a massive step.”
The Trojans had a couple of a chances in regulation to put the the Lancers away. In the 35th minute, Pedro Palmaka drew a foul 2 yards outside of the box. Darious Abdollahi fired a low, hard free kick toward the far post, which Kevin Guzman stopped for the Lancers. The rebound, though, went to Sam Kammerman, who launched a shot just over the crossbar for the Trojans.
University’s best chance came in the 43rd minute when Palmaka caught the Lancers goalkeeper playing out of position. Palmaka lofted a high, arcing shot toward an empty net, but again the Trojans’ aim was a bit too high.
“I am unbelievably proud of the boys though,” Wallwork said. “They will be sad that they couldn’t go on, but when it all settles down, they will realize what they did. I am incredibly proud of them.”
In CIF-SS Division 1:
El Toro 2, Tesoro 1: Jonathan Bryant scored two goals and Mac Hutchins made four saves to lead the visiting Chargers (13-10-2). Bryant’s first goal came off a 35-yard strike, a goal which El Toro coach Shawn Watts said was “the best goal I have seen all year.” He converted a penalty kick for his second goal. The Chargers will travel to Paramount for the semifinals on Tuesday.
In CIF-SS Division 3:
El Dorado 1, South Torrance 0: Edwin Sanchez scored the winner for the host Golden Hawks (17-7-6), who will play Salesian on Tuesday.
Saddleback 1, Valencia of Valencia 0: Jason Carbajal redirected a pass from Adrian Hernandez for the host Roadrunners (13-7-6). The Roadrunners will play Citrus Valley of Perris on Tuesday.
In CIF-SS Division 2:
Godinez 2, Corona del Mar 0: Bryan Ibarra and Roberto Arzate each scored a goal for the host Grizzlies (25-1-0), who will face Hueneme in the semifinals on Tuesday.
Contact the writer: ddottore@scng.com
