Jordan boys soccer finds redemption in CIF-SS semifinal

Tuabout is fair play.

Last year, Long Beach Jordan High boys soccer felt like it gave away the CIF Southe Section semifinal. On Tuesday in a second straight Division 2 semifinal at home, the Panthers were on the receiving end of Rancho Verde mistakes and held on for a 2-1 victory. An early penalty kick and an own goal gave Jordan (18-11) the lead it needed to reach the Division 2 championship for the first time in program history.

“It’s validation for how hard this team works and all of the things we have to overcome,” Jordan head coach Chris Larios said. “I think we’ve grown up a lot since last year and that showed tonight.”

Rancho Verde (23-6-2) beat Cabrillo at home in the quarterfinal round by controlling the run of play on its home turf field. However, the Mustangs struggled to build positive momentum on the skiy, bumpy pitch at Jordan. Their only shots on goal came off long throw ins.

Meanwhile, Jordan looked comfortable from the opening whistle while senior forward Nick Vazquez gave the Rancho Verde backline fits. Vazquez helped create three scoring opportunities in the first 10 minutes of the game. He beat two defenders on the left flank in the 11th minute and drew a foul in the 18-yard box. Junior Gerardo Rodriguez calmly converted the resulting penalty kick.

Rancho Verde equalized on an incredible effort from Eduardo Garcia. The senior collected a deflection off a long throw in and set himself up off the half volley for a wonder strike into the far-side netting to make it 1-1 at halftime.

Jordan found good fortune in the 44th minute when a long free kick from Rodriguez was headed in by a Mustang defender. Rancho Verde eaed a handful of dangerous set pieces down the stretch but couldn’t pull even again.

“I knew we were going to win,” Vazquez said. “Even after they scored. I could just feel it. Last year when we lost the semifinal I was heartbroken for the seniors. I wanted to give them what they deserved. It’s time to get a ring for them, this team, my family and the city of Long Beach.”

CIF-SS championship times and locations will be aounced today at noon.

‑ JJ Fiddler

SANTA BARBARA 1, LOS ALAMITOS 0 >> It took extra time to decide a wier in the Division 1 semifinal. Los Alamitos had control of possession for most of the game, but it was a counterattack goal in the final minute of extra time that lifted Santa Barbara to victory.

“It was a great game both ways,” said Los Al coach Donovan Martinez. “Any time you lose in a last-second play in a game like this, it’s tough. It bus.”

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The Griffins had most of the opportunities and pushed the ball forward for great scoring chances, but never found the target. The Dons capitalized on their one great scoring chance with a right-footed strike off the post and in from midfielder Peter Ruiz. And that was all they needed to advance into the CIF finals. The Griffins have been to the quarterfinals in four of the last five years.

- Paul Slater

LOYOLA 0, WARREN 0: loyola wins 4-2 in PKs >> In the other Division 1 semifinal, Bears’ goalkeeper Ricky Guerra did everything he could to keep Warren in the game, notching seven saves on nine Cub shots, but Loyola eventually prevailed by making four of its five penalty kicks.

Time of possession was even throughout, and while the Cubs created the better looks, Warren’s defense came up big on multiple occasions to keep the scoreless tie intact. During PKs, the teams traded makes on their opening attempts before the Bears missed two in a row and Loyola netted its first three. Then Warren keeper Ulises Guzman delivered a save and Carlos Maldonado scored to bring the deficit to 3-2. But Warren never took its fifth attempt, however, after Loyola’s Lucas Donoso sealed the win with a well-placed roller into the left side of the net.

Warren coach Miguel Pena credited his team for coming together during the second half of the season, despite some injury issues.

“We were asked, when are we going to bloom, when are we going to explode,” he said. “We were predicted to do good and we were struggling a little bit with scoring because of injuries. They all stepped up and this became a team. In the playoffs it became a family more than anything else.”

Loyola will play Santa Barbara in Friday’s final.

- Daniel Van Hoosier

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