Photo by Andres Oyaga
Staff Photographer
Boys’ soccer won its fourth consecutive preseason game with a 6-0 victory against Alhambra on Tuesday, December 4. The Tigers’ split-second offensive plays throughout the game proved far too elusive for the visiting defense, securing numerous key goals in both halves.
The Tigers struggled to match the swift Moor team entering the first half. Closely knit defensive blockades, combined with the impressive speed of several enemy defenders, shut down many of South Pas’ early assaults on the opposing goal. Regardless, seniors Henry Barbera and Sage Pierone skillfully managed to maneuver around the Moors and create openings to score. In one crucial play, sophomore Caleb Lee caught the subdued Alhambra goalie out of the goal and nudged the ball into the net to score South Pas’ first point midway through the first half. As the remaining portion of the half wound down, the Tigers looked to follow up on this good fortune. Despite a few slip-ups in passing and ball control, a miraculous 30-yard kick from senior Kai Dettman in the last two minutes elevated the team’s lead to 2-0.
The Tiger offense was reinvigorated as they came out of the halftime break. The team managed to limit the Moors’ possession of the ball thanks to several masterful maneuvers from sophomore Kevin Ebata and junior Ian McLane, leaving ample opportunity for the Tigers to find openings for potential goals. Many of these opportunities yielded favorable results, as two back-to-back goals from both Lee and sophomore Reo Snyder made any Alhambra comeback attempt impossible. As the final time ran to zero, the scoreboard lit up 6-0 in South Pas’ favor.
The boys’ team, eager to maintain its astounding success in the preseason, will continue on to face Canyon High School at home on Thursday, December 4.
