The Dos Pueblos boys soccer team got two wins by identical 2-0 scores at the Cabrillo Tournament on Friday, beating the hosts in the first and Bellflower in the second.
Sophomore keeper Eric Katz recorded two cleansheets, and had to make nine saves against Bellflower to do so.
“He did real well in the second game,” noted DP head coach Tovi Eliasen of Katz, who has been thrust into prominent action this season because the Chargers’ opening-day starting goalkeeper is out due to injury.
Vicente Perez had a solid all-around game against Cabrillo. The midfielder created a scoring opportunity for freshman Thomas Crawford in the 10th minute, sending a through-ball upfield that resulted in a shot on goal. Cabrillo’s keeper made a stop, but Crawford jumped on the rebound to put the Chargers up 1-0.
Eliasen called DP’s second goal – put in by Perez – the “nicest team goal we’ve had all season.”
It started with Elmer Munoz’s goalkick that was flicked on in the midfield by Eduardo Cortez. The ball connected with Perez, who took a couple dribbles before slotting it past the keeper.
The Chargers had only about 30 minutes to recoup before their second game, and had just enough energy left in the tank to score twice in the first half against Bellflower.
Munoz put Dos Pueblos on top 1-0 by knocking in a loose ball following a corner kick.
“We were really feeling good at that moment,” recalled Eliasen, and the Chargers kept the momentum flowing two minutes later when Rodrigo Perez nailed a 25-yard blast in dramatic fashion.
“He got the ball in space and took a rocket shot to the upper-corner,” replayed Eliasen. “I don’t know if we’ve scored like that this season.”
“He has such a motor and he works hard to create chances.”
In the second half, Katz fended off Bellflower for the worn-down Chargers, who allowed 15 attempts on goal in that second half.
The Chargers (5-5-1) have two more contests at the Buena Tournament slated for Saturday.
