Soccerpalooza: Alverno wins emotional game to advance; Rosemead and St. Francis boys lose
TODAY'S RESULTS
BOYS SOCCER
DIVISION I
Long Beach Millikan 3, St. Francis 2, OT:
DIVISION VI
Silverado 2, Rosemead 1
GIRLS SOCCER
DIVISION VII
Alverno 4, CAMS 1
CLICK THREAD FOR ST. FRANCIS, ROSEMEAD AND ALVERNO GAME STORIES
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LONG BEACH MILLIKAN 3, ST. FRANCIS 2, OT
By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer
LA CAÑADA -- The three goals scored against the St. Francis High School boys soccer team were carried by more than just wind and a good spin.
A bit of luck came along for the ride, too.
It wasn't St. Patrick's Day and Long Beach Millikan doesn't wear green either, but the Rams struck gold on odd plays that paved the way for a 3-2 win in overtime over the Golden Knights on Tuesday afternoon in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs.
Ten minutes is all that separated St. Francis (15-6-4) from reaching this weekend's title game.
Trailing 2-1 in the 70th minute, Millikan's (27-3-2) Jose Ruiz took the ball on the far wing for a throw-in. He's a specialist and substituting him into the game was for solely that purpose.
His throw-in went over the defending wall and Golden Knights keeper Jordan Bell jumped to grab it. He caught it but fell backwards, causing the ball to slip out of his hands for just a second. But the ball crossed over the goal line.
The Rams were awarded with a St. Francis own goal, tying the score, 2-2.
But that was the least bizzare of goals.
In the 83rd minute, Cesar Ramirez's free kick went off of Manuel Espinoza's head which deflected off a St. Francis defender, over Bell's head and into the net.
Game over.
"It was luck," Millikan coach Rod Petkovic admitted. "Very lucky. The goalie was off the line and we were just really lucky; really lucky to be on this side of the field."
The Rams have now scored 88 goals this season. Though the goals scored in this game got the job done, they certainly weren't the prettiest.
"None of them were good goals," Petkovic said. "I hate to say it but it was just lucky goals. It was nothing but luck. But we're happy, that's all we can say, we're happy."
St. Francis coach Glen Appels would have felt better if the goals that doomed the Golden Knights' season had some more flash.
"You hate to see a team give up a goal but you hate to give one goal that didn't take you apart," Appels said. "I would have felt better if somebody had jumped and hit a side-volley in the top corner.
"But they call count and you'd like to get beat by something spectacular rather than a ball that trickles across."
The Rams pressed early and often, but it was St. Francis that struck first after an Eric Verso corner kick found its way to Brett McCreary who scored in the 23rd minute.
Seemingly, the Golden Knights had all the momentum, especially after a Millikan assistant coach was issued a yellow card for arguing with the referee.
But that momentum was dissipated when Torres scored in the 38th minute.
Verso scored in the 47th minute to give the Golden Knights the lead again, 2-1.
Twice St. Francis led but twice they gave it up and that ultimately led to its demise.
"We had chances to finish," Appels said. "We hit the post, hit a ball that came wide. We could have finished in regulation.
"Worst thing for us is we took the lead twice and we couldn't hold it, and I think as a coach that's the disappointing thing."
Millikan at times could not counter attack in the second half but still managed to win.
"It was ugly guys," Petkovic said. "Honest to goodness we did not play well. Give (St. Francis), they played well."
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SILVERADO 2, ROSEMEAD 1
By Steve Ramirez
Staff Writer
ROSEMEAD -- Rosemead High School appeared to have a trip to the CIF-Southern Section boys soccer finals there for the taking.
But momentum in soccer often changes as an accelerated rate, and that was enough to put an end to the Panthers' season.
Jose Velasco scored in the 31st minute and visiting Silverado went on to score a 2-1 victory over Rosemead in a Division VI semifinal on Tuesday.
The Hawks, also getting a goal from Jesus Jacobo, improved to 17-0-1 and will face Mission Valley League champion Mountain View in the finals, either Friday or Saturday.
Rosemead, which scored its only goal on a penalty kick from John Martinez, finished 16-4-5.
The key came during the middle of the first half, when Rosemead looked like it would take the early advantage.
The Panthers, who outshot Silverado, 7-1 during the first 30 minutes, had five chances to take the lead.
But Jorge Suastegvi just missed on two headers in the penalty area, and a cross pass from Edson Quinteros just rolled past Brian Vasquez a few yards from the goal mouth.
And then, in a blink of an eye, Silverado forged ahead.
Ray Martinez took control of the ball just near mid-field. He dribbled up and sent in a deep pass to the right that Velasco gathered in and fired past Kevin Bustamante for a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute.
"That's how we've been all year," Silverado coach Jimi Gleason said. "Teams will get comfortable thinking they have all this pressure, then we quick strike and it's 1-0."
Jacobo, taking a pass from Velasco, then made it 2-0 with goal during the first two minutes of the second half.
"It wasn't a comfort zone at all," Gleason said. "It was just another step ahead along the line. Two-zero is the worst lead to have."
Gleason nearly proved to be correct. Silverado's Jeff Nolan was called for a foul in the penalty area on Rosemead's Raul Lira, and Martinez beat goalie Henry Melendez to make it 2-1 in the 49th minute.
But the Panthers, despite being on the attack, were stopped on every opportunity, including a free kick by Quinteros from just outside the penalty area that was wide in the 80th minute.
"All I can say is that all year long this team fought hard," Rosemad coach Rick Ingram said. "They fought hard today, gave it their all."
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ALVERNO 4, CAMS 1
By Andrew J. Campa
Staff Writer
CARSON -- While the 12th man is a phrase referred to regarding a home crowd, the Alverno High School girls soccer team had a special fan in mind before and after Tuesday afternoon's CIF-Southern Section Division VII semifinals at the Home Depot Center auxiliary field.
To the chant of "this is for Frankie," the Horizon League champion Jaguars scored three second-half goals in defeating host California Academy of Math and Science, 4-1, in earning the program's first-ever trip to the CIF-SS finals.
Alverno (18-1-2), the divisional No. 2 seed, will face either Condor League champion Laguna Blanca (16-2-1) of Santa Barbara or No. 4-seeded Vasquez (24-0) of Acton, either Friday or Saturday for the divisional crown.
"I think this game showed how well we can play," said Jaguars senior captain Marina Lesse. "But more importantly, we wanted to show Frankie (Russo) how well we could play. This was for him."
Lesse was referring to Alverno Athletic Director Frank Russo Jr., who passed away at the age of 48 Sunday after suffering a stroke.
Russo was also one of the soccer program's biggest supporters and the win meant much to at least one Alverno coach.
"The girls stepped up to the plate for Frankie," said Jaguars assistant coach Steve Lesse. "This was all about our athletic director. The girls dedicated the game to him."
The Jaguars broke a 1-1 tie in the 58th minute, thanks in part, to a little extra motivation given to sophomore midfielder Maha Abdallah, who was slide-tackled from behind just past midfield.
Abdallah jumped to her feet and vigorously protested the lack of a card called on the play to the head official.
While her pleas fell on deaf ears, Abdallah sounded off when she blasted a free kick just outside the center circle that bounced off the fingers of CAMS' backtracking goalie Leah Spaulding off the floor and in for a score.
The goal turned out to be the game-winner and broke Alverno's frustration.
"CAMS is a pretty good team, one of the best that we've seen this year," Steve Lesse said. "For them to hold us for that long with only one score, that's pretty good."
The goal proved to be a springboard for the Jaguars as Briana Alvarado scored on a Marina Lesse assist in the 68th minute that was chased by a Ameenah Issa score off a Courtney Conte assist two minutes later.
"This wasn't just for us," Issa said. "This was for the school, the community and for Frankie. Now, we have CIF next."
Alverno's other score was an Abdallah first-half goal that came compliments of a Cassie Saavedra assist in the third minute of play.
"I think we played well the entire game," said Jaguars coach Ken Berry. "We just scored more in the second half."
Others on the Jaguars title-game bound roster include Corrie Antilon, Regina Cabrera, Jessica Capra, Rebecca Iraheta, Hana Lemseffer, Celina Minissian, Karineh Minissian, Chellee Parker, Lauren Sanchez, Gaby Vasquez and Mackenzie Winslow.
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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you cannot. even in death somone will always keep in mind you one day and criticize you. you cannot please everybody, so do not even try.
usually, well, the truth hurts.
Alverno does not belong in division 7.
sf made the regionals...and maby they didnt win d1 cif but now they have a chance at state
Thank you to CAMS! You played a great game! Great skills and super speed. High class group of kids; your smiles, handshakes and "good lucks" at the end of the game were well received.
Best of luck to you next season.
Steve Lesse
Asst. Coach
Alverno Soccer
I just heard that St. Francis has been invited to the CIF regional tournament.
lol anonymous. you amaze me. First of all, take a second look at "America", the diversity in this country is shooting up every year, looks like there's nothing you can really do about it huh? Second of all, your comment is racist for the mere simple fact that you classify as soccer being a "spanish" sport. Third of all do you know the attendance number of the World Cup? Do you have any idea how many people travel just to witness the event? Didnt think so, because it seems to me your talking out of your ass. Fourth of all "Soccer is boring and the U.S. is not interested." Really? Since when do you speak for the U.S.? Funny guy. Go tell that to the U.S national team and every MLS fan out there. Just because you lack interest does not mean everyone else does. And yes, I'm white, and yes i'm interested in soccer. Enough said.
Moron.
Congratulations to the girls on the Alverno team. You are one game away from the D7 championship.
My sources tell me that CAMS gave it their all, but it wasn't even as close as the lopsided 4-1 score, and could have easily been 6-0. With only 4 CSL players, the CAMS girls wore down and started to make mistakes.
Vasquez isn't going to be any tougher because it looks like they have around 6 CSL players from Palmdale Thunder, NVSC and SCU. I wouldn't let their 24-0 record fool you either, because it consists entirely of victories over the "Purple PowerPuff Girls", "Electric Strawberries" and similar teams in D7.
So "anonymous" what is your sport....or are you just here to bash?
highschoolsoccerfan -
Who said anything about race? There are many people in this world who call Spanish their primary language and why they would live in america if they do that is beyond me. This country is an english speaking country period!! That has nothing to do with race.
Soccer is boring and the U.S. is not interested. Just go onto Sports Talk radio every day. Is anyone talking about Soccer?? NO! Again..It has nothing to do with race, just lack of interest from those of us in the U.S. (not Europe) who speak english.
B.P. WINS 2-0 ON PENALTY KICKS. WHAT A GAME. IN FRONT OF ABOUT 2-3 THOUSAND PEOPLE. BRAVES FIND A WAY TO PULL IT OUT. B.P. GOT A HORRIBLE CALLL AGAINST THEM IN THE SECOND OVERTIME THAT NULLIFIED THE BRAVES WILD CELEBRATION. MAJOR PROPS TO ANIMO LEADERSHIP, MAN IS THAT TEAM GREAT. THIS TEAM WAS A BIT BETTER THAN B.P. AND B.P. MANAGED TO FIND A WAY TO PULL IT OUT.
GO BRAVES !!!!
Division V
Baldwin Park 1, Animo Leadership 1, BParks wins on PK's, 2-1
Salesian 1, Righetti 0
St. Francis should be proud of themselves. They really had a great season. Best of luck to the graduating senior boys.
Best of luck to Alverno. May you win in memory of Mr. Russo - and may he be looking down on all of you.
Sad to see the soccer season ending - on to softball/baseball...
Anonymous......This happens to be the Soccer Blog...If you don't like it read and blog somewhere else..And I don't speak Spanish. If you really what to know Soccer is played in most European countries. Keep your racist comments to your self.
Wa wa wa wa..Soccer...wa wa wa wa...who cares...wa wa wa wa (Charlie Brown Style)Who really cares about soccer anyway if english is your primary language.
Shouldn't this portion of the blog be in spanish?
A goal cannot be scored directly on a throw in...meaning that if the ball passed in its entirety over the goal line inside of the goal without anyone else touching it first, the restart would be a goal kick. It wouldn't matter if the keeper caught it after it completely passed over the goal line as long as no one else touched it first.
If the keeper carried the ball over the line, it would be a goal.
st. francis lost to millikan. 3-2 in OT. the refereeing was pretty ridiculously slanted towards millikan, despite st. francis having homefield advantage. quick questions:
firstly, if there is a throw-in and the goalie catches it in the goal, does it count? i thought somebody had to kick it in or something.
secondly, isnt it against cif rules for fans to paint their chests? that is what ive heard and i just wanted to clarify
Rosemead in finals in soccer too? wow it would be a shame to lose in the finals....again...what happens if they win? do they get rings like in football?
Yea. I'll be the best dressed sportswriter covering the Millikan-St. Francis game today. I know, it's unbecoming to pat myself on the back.
Thanks :). That was quick. Yeah i've been busy, i usually just drop by and read the blog/articles, but i'll try to contribute to it with a post or two now and then. Are you covering any of the games today?
Hi Blueberry. Hadn't heard from you since New Year's Eve lol
Anyway, Silverado is at Rosemead, not Salesian. I always confuse the schools. Again, it's SILVERADO.
Okay so i need some clarificatoin...on your page you mentions its rosemead vs salesian.....on robledo's page its rosemead vs silverado..so which one is it?
oh and i just have to point it out..5-2-1 = 8 games...not 7. :)
Thanks Arroyo, that wasn't so hard to find now wasn't it.
If you look at the coaches website www.socalsoccer.org and go to D7 home, you will see that CAMS is 7-0-1 in league and 17-4-1 overall. If you look closely at CAMS record you will see that the only teams that they were able to beat at D3 were 1/12-ish teams. They got their heads handed to them by Milliken in D6.
It isn't even going to be close.
Their coach e-mailed to say why I didn't do research about CAMS' record. I got it from MaxPreps. He did mention a record in the e-mail but it was last year's record.
Can someone explain why CAMS is only 5-2-1, that's seven games? They won three in the playoffs, so are you telling me they've only played four games all year to qualify. Miguel, help me on this.
Can someone explain how CAMS' record is only 5-2-1, that's seven games. They won three in the playoffs, so are you telling me they played four games all season prior and qualified for the playoffs? Can someone please explain, Miguel, you listening