Esperanza scores two late goals to beat No. 4 Los Alamitos
The Aztecs pull off a come-from-behind victory, 3-2, with two scores in final seven minutes.
Seven minutes.
It is not a long time, but don't try telling that to the Esperanza boys soccer team.
The Aztecs overcame a one-goal deficit in the final seven minutes with a frantic attack, resulting in goals by Robby Shelansky and Troy Nikolic in the 73rd and 78th minute, to lead Esperanza past No. 4 Los Alamitos, 3-2, on Friday afternoon in Sunset League play at Laurel School in Los Alamitos.
The Aztecs (9-3-2, 3-2-1) and Griffins (16-4-3, 3-2-1) are tied for second behind Fountain Valley.
Shelansky gave the Aztecs a 1-0 lead five minutes into the match, and he scored both of his goals on picturesque headers. Nikolic's score came off a well-placed cross that skipped past the Los Alamitos backline.
The Griffins found themselves scrambling in the final minute after playing casually for the better part of the second half. Wes Feighner nearly tied the score, but Jerrod Stith made the save of the day by slapping the ball out of play to keep Esperanza ahead.
“If we play the way we finished playing, I think we have an opportunity to move forward,” Aztecs coach Kino Oaxaca said.
Tim Seo scored both goals for Los Alamitos and gave the Griffins a 2-1 lead near the 58th minute after slipping past three defenders and sending a shot past Stith.
“They never gave up,” Los Alamitos coach Don Martinez said. “They had an amazing finish and amazing goals, and it seemed in the last five minutes we were struggling with that (Shelansky's second goal). It was shocking to us. Those boys worked really hard to come out here to beat us.”
Also in the Sunset League:
No. 10 Fountain Valley 3, Edison 0: The visiting Barons (9-5-2, 4-1-1) got goals from three players, and Tyler Folkins had four saves to help Fountain Valley move into first place.
In the Empire League:
Kennedy 3, Pacifica 1: The visiting Fighting Irish (5-9-4, 1-2-1) overcame a 1-0 deficit at the half as Jason Funes, Tony Nunez and Kevin Orta each scored second-half goals.
In the Freeway League:
Fullerton 1, Troy 0: Tim Sasser had five saves and Armando Gonzalez scored in the second half to lead the host Indians (15-1-1, 4-0) to their 12th shutout.
In the Garden Grove League:
Garden Grove 2, Rancho Alamitos 0: Danny Marquez and Sergio Vellez each scored and Albert Gutierrez had seven saves to record the shutout and lead the visiting Argonauts (7-6-1, 4-0).
In the Golden West League:
No. 7 Santa Ana 2, Segerstrom 1: The visiting Saints (13-1-2, 3-0-1) won in dramatic fashion as Danny Chavez and Jesus Zavala scored in the final three minutes. Daniel Jaimes scored for the Jaguars (5-8-2, 2-2) in the second half and Angel Alfaro had seven saves.
In the Sea View League:
Foothill 2, No. 8 El Toro 0: John Joslin scored two second-half goals and Justin Jones had two saves in goal to lead the host Knights (10-4-3, 3-0-1) in the upset.
In the Trinity League:
St. John Bosco of Bellflower 1, No. 1 Servite 0: The visiting Friars (19-2-2, 3-1-1) went down without starting midfielder Hunter Carlson and keeper Chris Violas in the lineup.
No. 2 Santa Margarita 2, JSerra 0: Trevor Moylan and Mike Munoz each scored in the second half to lead the visiting Eagles (12-1-4, 3-0-1).
Contact the writer: mmelendez@ocregister.com
| What about the other Empire League Game? Cypress beat Katella 2-0. They are 5-0 for league. |
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| Cypress Fan - Jan 23, 2008 10:19:54 PM | Remove Comment |
