One of the many strengths of the Santa Barbara High boys soccer team is its depth of talent.
Dons coach Todd Heil tapped into that wealth of talented players on his bench Thursday and they made a huge difference in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Saddleback in a CIF Division 2 quarterfinal game at Peabody Stadium.
Forward Alfredo Ibarra scored the tying goal on a diving header and attacking midfielder Justin Jimenez delivered the corner kick that Fernando Alvarado nodded into the net for the game-winner to send the top-ranked Dons (28-0-1) into Tuesday’s semifinals against Katella, which beat Corona Santiago 6-5 in a penalty-kick shootout after playing to a 1-1 tie. The game will be played in Santa Barbara.
“We’re very deep, especially up top,” said Heil, who has the Dons (28-0-1) in the CIF final four for the second straight year. They lost to eventual champion Valencia last year.
Santa Barbara's Alfredo Ibarra, right, and teammate George Munoz, left, leap into the air while celebrating Ibarra's game-tying goal on Thursday.
The tremendous energy and work rate Ibarra and Jimenez brought into the game was way too much for Saddleback to handle. The Roadrunners were already under siege before those two came on the field.
Saddleback, however, did score the game’s first goal. Albert Chavez laid the ball back for Omar Laris who cracked a wicked, rising shot over the head of Santa Barbara’s Justo Alvarado and into the back of the net. But the Golden West League champions (17-5-4) weren’t very dangerous for the remainder of the game.
Credit Santa Barbara’s relentless play at both ends of the field.
“Saddleback kind of got tired,” Heil said.
Saddleback assistant coach Jose Retiz said it was a matter of Santa Barbara being the better team overall.
“Basically, they were better and stronger,” said Retiz, who was filling in for head coach Mel Silva, who was serving a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in the Roadrunners’ second-round win over La Sierra. “We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores, which is great. I think they gave everything they got.”
Defender Brian Joseff clears a ball before avoiding a Saddleback slidetackle.
Santa Barbara repeatedly created excellent scoring chances in the first half, keeping goalkeeper Jose Bañuelos very busy — he made 19 saves. The Dons had a 10-2 shot advantage in the first 40 minutes.
Tapia came up big on Jesse Gonzalez’ one-time volley from close range in the 17th minute, stopped a header by Christian Pardo in the 37th and blocked a ball driven into the box by Alex Santana in the 38th. Tapia lost the ball momentarily after saving Pardo’s header and Tyler Schleich booted it into the net, but the referee had blown his whistle and waved off the goal.
Ibarra made his presence known in the first half. He twice came close to scoring after crosses from Gonzalez and Pardo.
“Alfredo works so hard,” Heil said of the sophomore. “When he doesn’t score a goal he doesn’t think he had a good game. That’s not true.”
Ibarra was rewarded three minutes into the second half. He made a diagonal run into the box and scored on a diving header of a ball sent in by Spencer Pritchard from the right flank. That tied the score at 1-1.
For Heil, it wasn’t surprising the Dons scored so soon after halftime. He said the team was feeling good about its play in the first half and was chomping at the bit during the break to get back on the field.
“That’s a testament to the guys. We didn’t give up.”
Santa Barbara continued to control the game, but the Dons took a hit when Pardo went down with a cramp in his right calf muscle and had to be carried off the field in the 66th minute.
Jimenez came back in and made an immediate impact. In the 69th minute, he powered a corner kick across the goalmouth to the far post, where Alvarado knocked it in for a 2-1 lead.
It was a devastating blow for Saddleback.
“There were only two mistakes and we were done with it,” said Retiz.
Santa Barbara played a solid game on defense. Schleich, in only his second game back after recovering from an ankle injury suffered in December, turned in a strong performance in the midfield, and left fullback Brian Joseff did a nice job shutting down Saddleback’s attack.
“They were faster and stronger and they wanted to win more than us,” Retiz said of the Dons. “That was a big difference.”
Do we know where the semifinal game will be played, seeing as they aren't allowed to play at their home stadium?
According to the CIF, semifinal games can be played at the field of the host school. Santa Barbara will play Katella at Peabody Stadium on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Dos Pueblos is also home on Tuesday against Bell Gardens
According to the CIF, semifinal games can be played at the field of the host school. Santa Barbara will play Katella at Peabody Stadium on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Dos Pueblos is also home on Tuesday against Bell Gardens