Vicente Perez scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Dos Pueblos boys soccer team to its first Channel League victory of the season, a 2-0 triumph that sets up a Tuesday showdown with San Marcos that will go a long way in deciding the league’s third playoff team.
“This game was so big for us,” said head coach Tovi Eliasen, noting how it was a must-win situation if the Chargers are to attain their goal of making the playoffs.
Rodrigo Perez gave DP a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute by connecting on a Vicente Perez cornerkick to head the ball past Buena’s keeper.
“That definitely lifted our team,” noticed Eliasen. “After that I thought we were the better team from there on out.”
The Chargers tacked on another score in the 67th minute. Kenny Lara tracked down a long cornerkick and played it back across the mouth of the goal. Vicente Perez controlled the pass and quickly knocked it home.
Eliasen credited the defense with shutting down the Bulldogs’ attack.
His back row, anchored by captain Gustavo Hernandez along with Marco Ruiz and Josh Brown, kept Buena away from keeper Tony Mendoza, who only had to make a couple of saves to record the clean sheet.
As for Vicente Perez’s performance, Eliasen called it a “spectacular” showing from his sophomore defender/attacker.
The Chargers improved to 6-11-2 on the season, 1-2-2 in the Channel League, good for five points. San Marcos, at 1-3-1 in league, has four points. Dos Pueblos can solidify its third-place standing behind Ventura and Santa Barbara with a win or tie on Tuesday at the Royals’ home.
