By Noah Miyamae
Assoc. Sports Editor
The boys’ varsity soccer team was victorious against the Temple City Rams on Monday, February 8, by a score of 3-2 at home. With this win, the team has a league record of 3-5-1 and overall record of 5-9-2.
South Pas was dominant from the start of the game, as the team played very aggressively with many scoring opportunities. Senior striker James Tulin put the Tigers in the lead with a goal from a well-placed assist from senior midfielder Chris Brady. However, Brady would exit the game later on in the match after suffering a broken nose. Shortly after, Tulin would come up with another goal and give the Tigers a two goal lead. As the 18th minute approached, South Pas would make the score 3-0 as sophomore striker Jack Renken hit the back of the net to provide South Pas with added insurance. This three-goal barrage in the early stages of the first half would be the Tigers’ only goals for the remainder of the match.
The Rams would respond soon after with two goals of their own. Both goals were produced via penalty kicks that many of the boys believed to be controversial calls. By the 20th minute, the score was 3-2, and the half would close at that same margin.
The Tigers continued to pressure the Temple City defense in the second half to maintain and even increase their lead. South Pas played very cohesively throughout the match as the Tigers’ passes connected smoothly. However, in the closing minutes, South Pas would almost lose its lead on another penalty kick granted to Temple City. Despite the pressuring situation, junior goalkeeper Kevin Foster would predict the striker’s path of the ball and make a magnificent stop to preserve the Tiger lead. South Pas would end the match ahead by the same score of 3-2.
“We brought our best play to our last home game as we moved the ball around and finished many of our opportunities,” junior Max Amido said, “We were unlucky with some of the referee’s calls, but pushed through them and ended with the victory.”
The boys will face Monrovia on the road in their final game of the season on Thursday, February 11. Although they have been eliminated from CIF contention, the team hopes to finish strong against a tough opponent.
