Anzar boys soccer team lost 2-0 Tuesday to Pacific Grove, and
now sit two points behind the Breakers for first in the Coastal
Athletic League
San Juan Bautista
The Anzar boys soccer team is now hoping they have a little luck on their side.
After compiling a near-perfect record of 6-0-2 in the Coastal Athletic League – their best record in recent years – the Hawks suffered their first league defeat of the season when they fell 2-0 to Pacific Grove Tuesday in San Juan Bautista.
Anzar entered the contest with a narrow one-point lead for first place in the CAL standings, but with the Pacific Grove victory, the Breakers not only leapfrogged Anzar for first place in the CAL, but now hold a two-point lead on the Hawks with only one game remaining.
In the CAL, only the league champion is awarded an automatic berth to the Central Coast Section playoffs. For Anzar to qualify for the postseason would entail a Hawks win over York on Thursday, coupled with a Pacific Grove loss or tie to Calvary Christian.
Earlier this season, the Breakers beat Calvary 6-1.
“We’re just hoping PG loses another game or ties another game and then we’ll all be tied up in league,” coach Ruben Fuentes said.
Although it didn’t rain on Tuesday, weather may have been a factor. On Monday, the Hawks defeated Calvary Christian 2-0 in a make-up game from Jan. 25, which was postponed due to inclement weather. Fuentes said playing the Warriors one day before what was likely the biggest game of the season certainly had an affect.
“The kids won (on Monday), but I thought some of the kids were tired (on Tuesday),” Fuentes said. “But what are you gonna do? You need to make up the game.
“I think the league should have seen this was an important game, but it could have been us out there with [Pacific Grove] having to make up the game …”
Although the Hawks defeated Pacific Grove 1-0 on Jan. 17, the Breakers controlled Tuesday’s contest, taking 20 shots on net compared to Anzar’s eight.
Pacific Grove was on the scoreboard fairly early in the game, when Connor James’ centering pass was one-timed into the left side of the net by Eli Miller in the 17th minute.
It remained 1-0 for much of the game until Jason Flores scored on a penalty kick in the 77th minute, and iced the win for Pacific Grove.
“I think they left it all out on the field,” Fuentes said of Anzar. “Maybe it wasn’t their best game, but they played hard and that’s all we can ask for.”
Anzar keeper Heriberto Sandoval made 18 saves in the game, and Fuentes said, “The reason we’re at this stage is because of him.”
Anzar (6-2-2, 6-1-2 CAL) will play their season finale on Thursday night at York. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.
Team 1 2 F
ANZ 0 0 0
PG 1 1 2
