Jacinto Barreto had a hand in both San Marcos goals, sending the Royals to a 2-0 victory over Nordhoff in a non-league matchup on Tuesday afternoon.
In the opening half, Barreto was pulled down in the penalty area by a Nordhoff defender. Erik Gutierrez stepped up to take the PK for the first time this season and didn’t waste the opportunity, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead.
San Marcos made it 2-0 late in the game when Cody Howland played a nice through-ball to Mynor Chavez who shook a defender before feeding Barreto for the goal.
It was the fourth shutout of the season for the Royals, who improve to 5-7-3 overall. San Marcos opens Channel League play on Thursday at home against Buena.
Head coach Brian Eisen said he got a nice boost from sophomore Ryan Gilmore who was pulled up from the junior varsity over winter break and has been making sound contributions at the outside fullback position.
Mike Gallop was another that drew Eisen’s praise, playing at both the forward and midfielder position.
The Royals play again at home on Thursday against Buena in their Channel League opener at 5 p.m.
