If there were any lingering questions about how good the Santa Barbara High boys soccer team is this season, they were answered on Wednesday.
Now 13-0, the Dons picked up their second tournament crown of the season, and this one is much more prestigious than the Cats and Hounds tourney in Atascadero which they won a few weeks ago.
Senior goalie Justo Alvarado made two saves in penalty kicks and earned MVP honors as the Dons beat Santa Ana Valley in the championship of the South Torrance Tournament — the oldest high school soccer tournament in the state.
The teams battled to a 1-1 tie in regulation. The Falcons, ranked third in Division III, caught Santa Barbara sleeping and scored off of a throw-in three minutes into the second half. In the 65th, Jesse Gonzalez broke free at the top of the box and took his defender 1-on-1 before dishing to Christian Pardo, who put away the equalizer.
There was no overtime, as things went directly to PKs after regulation. The Dons won 3-2, with Santa Ana Valley hitting the post before Alvarado tallied the pair of saves.
“This lets us know we’re in a good spot,” said always-modest head coach Todd Heil, who last won the tournament in 1999. “It was the first time we had to come back, and Santa Ana Valley was a very quality team… The boys definitely earned their vacation.”
It’s back to work on Monday, however, as the Dons begin play in the Buena Tournament on Tuesday.
