Century ends tragic day with inspired victory

Two hours before Century's boys soccer team was scheduled to play host to Woodbridge on Wednesday afternoon, the Centurions got the devastating news that pushed them to the brink of forfeiting their Aliso Cup pool-play game.

Instead of getting ready to face the Warriors, the Centurions were wiping away tears.

The Centurions found out they had lost their inspirational leader, a player to whom they dedicated a CIF-SS playoff game last season. After a long battle with leukemia, Freddy Ortega died Wednesday, a few days after the players had visited him in the hospital.

Century coach Bruce Silverman asked his players if they wanted call the game off, or play for Freddy.

The Centurions elected to play, turning in a performance that was a fitting tribute to a kid who Silverman said had an “unbelievable attitude.”

Danny Ortega, a transfer from Orange, led the way for the No. 4 Centurions, scoring three goals as Century eased to a 5-1 victory.

Silverman said he had a hard time facing his team, so he elected to let his assistant coaches guide the Centurions in pregame warm-ups.

For three years, Silverman said Ortega had been in remission, and he was on the roster last year, playing mostly with the JV team. But about 10 days ago, Ortega took a turn for the worse.

When Silverman and the Centurions recently visited Ortega in his hospital room, Ortega was in a coma, but as his teammates talked to him, Ortega started to respond.

“His parents couldn't believe it and just started looking around,” Silverman said. “He was an unbelievable kid. When I walked in (to the locker room), the kids were just bawling. They were very close to him. I was incredibly impressed with the way that we played.”

And it’s the kind of performance that Silverman said visiting teams should expect when they play the Centurions. Since last season, Century has installed a new turf field which is much smoother and larger than the old grass field that was wedged between some temporary classrooms.

The new field, Silverman said suits the Centurions’ style of play which centers around quick passes on the ground.  The Centurions also appeared to be much more disciplined defensively, giving the Warriors precious few looks at the goal.  Last season, the Centurions’ defenders often lost their shape, and that cost Century more than a few victories.

“We have improved tremendously defensively. That is something we have worked on a lot,” Silverman said. “We still struggle height-wise. A couple outside defenders aren’t more than 5-foot-2, but they can jump, and they are winning balls that we normally wouldn’t before.”

Woodbridge had four corner kicks on Wednesday, and they Centurions turned them all away, which was a pleasant surprise for Silverman because the Centurions have a problem defending set pieces.

Woodbridge’s only goal came in the 70^th minute. Although, Silverman isn’t so sure the ball crossed the goal line. He believes his back-up goalkeeper, Edgar Espinosa, stopped it in time.

Espinosa came halfway through the second half when Johnny Garcia left the game after getting involved in a collision with the Warriors while trying to make a save. Silverman said Garcia is fine, and will be able to play in the Centurions’ next Aliso Cup game against Orange Lutheran.