Cal High’s Jose Contreras (9) makes a goal as they play El Rancho on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera. Cal High defeats El Rancho 2-1. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/Pasadena Star-News)

By Stephen Ramirez
PICO RIVERA — El Rancho High School has been the dominant boys soccer team in the Del Rio the past few seasons. But the Dons’ reign may be about to end.
Jose Contreras scored two first-half goals and California took a hold of the league title chase with a 2-1 victory over host El Rancho on Tuesday.

The Condors, ranked No. 7 in CIF-Southern Section Division 2, improved to 13-0 overall and 3-0 in league play. El Rancho, which got a goal from Rodrigo Saldana, slipped to 6-8 and 2-1.

California coach Ivan Todorovic: “El Rancho is a team very well known in the league. They won the Southern Section two years ago, and I knew this would be a very difficult game. We were missing four starting players and we didn’t play up to our level. Maybe, El Rancho deserved to win this game, but we fought hard and made it happen.”

El Rancho coach Gerry Goyenaga: “We had our chances early in the game that we didn’t put away. That kind of bit us again. But Cal’s a good team and they took care of their chances.”

Cal’s Jose Contreras: “The pass made it through the (defense). I was able get by, and shoot it to the left (of the goalie).”