Boys’ Soccer Gains Fresh Results on New Turf

VERNON LUONG
Staff Writer
Varsity boys’ soccer now has a preseason record of 1-5-4, marking a rough time in the young team’s progress. On Dec. 14, the Moors matched up to South Pasadena, ending the game in a 1-1 tie.
Much of the first half was a stand-off, with South Pasadena bringing forth a strong offense within the first twenty minutes. Head Coach Estaban Chavez notes that their passing was a great factor in Alhambra’s attempt to put forth a solid counter-attack. Stopper Abraham Torres sustained a knee injury in the midst of the struggle.
Left defender Ryan Gomez attributes the lack of an offensive turnout with their strong defense but lack of communication on the offensive end, eventually costing him a yellow card early in the game.
The second half proved more intense as Alhambra scored the first point of the game eight minutes in. Yet South Pasadena still managed to score just three minutes after, once again balancing the struggle. With time still left to take the lead, both teams stepped up their level of gameplay in an effort to pull through the final minutes, but by the time the second half ended, neither teams were able to.
This marked their first game on a synthetic turf, but the change in their comfort zone did not prove a severe setback to the newer players improvement in the season. Yet center-midfielder Jime Espinoza, compliments his fellow freshmen and sophomore players for playing so well against more matured athletes. Chavez also feels that there is still a victory to be celebrated.
“That’s always something coaches want to see: [their team] playing the best they can at all times.,” said Chavez.