There were two important items on the to-do list for the Santa Barbara High boys soccer team Thursday night. First, the Dons wanted to make amends for allowing a late goal in a tie against Ventura earlier in the week, and they were out to get coach Todd Heil his 200th win.
The Dons checked off both items as they routed Buena 6-0 in a Channel League match at Peabody Stadium.
Heil’s milestone victory comes in his 10th year at the helm. His team, ranked No. 1 in CIF, is 17-1-1 and 1-0-1 in league.
“It’s very nice,” he said. “I’ve been on pins and needles. I didn’t know what to expect this season. We have a lot of new bodies.”
What Heil has learned about this group of players is it has great chemistry.
That was evident against the visiting Bulldogs. They were simply overwhelmed by Santa Barbara’s dominating play.
Peter Aguilar got things rolling with a goal in the fourth minute. He scored off a through-ball from Tyler Schleich.
Heil said the early goal was just what the team needed to erase the bad feelings after giving up a last-minute goal in the tie against Ventura.
“It was nice to jump out in the first four minutes of the game. It showed we responded well,” said Heil. We had much better overall effort for the whole 80 minutes.”
Aguilar scored again in the 18th minute off an assist from Christian Pardo. It was his fifth goal in the last two matches.
Pardo made it 3-0 in the 27th minute. He received a throw-in from Brian Joseff, beat a defender and hit a beautiful shot that beat the Buena goalkeeper at the far post.
“It was excellent,” said Heil.
George Munoz redirected a ball from Blake Nania for the fourth goal.
Sanford Spivey soared above a crowd on a throw-in from Pardo and headed in the fifth goal in the 67th minute.
Justin Jimenez pounced on a ball during a scramble in the box and scored to complete the scoring in the 79th minute.
Goalkeeper Emmanuel Angulo notched his 14th shutout of the year. He received outstanding help from centerbacks Marcos Lopez and Jesus Flores, said Heil.
Next up for the Dons is rivalry week. They host San Marcos on Tuesday and play at Dos Pueblos on Thursday.
