Tangel’s header has DP heading to semis

Branden Tangel’s dad, Andy, won a CIF title with the Dos Pueblos boys soccer team over a quarter century ago.

Thanks to his son, the Chargers are now two wins away from repeating what they accomplished way back in 1983.

The younger Tangel scored his second goal of the day with a header off a free kick from Kenny Lara in the opening minutes of sudden-death overtime as the Chargers defeated visiting Corona in comeback fashion on Thursday, 2-1.

The duo hooked up on DP’s equalizer midway through the second half in an almost identical sequence.

“He’s such a tremendous player, and that winning goal was well-deserved,” said coach Tovi Eliasen of his captain. “He’s up there for every dangerous ball, whether it’s off of a throw-in or a free kick. He’s close all the time, so it was good to see him put those away.”

Dos Pueblos’ Rodrigo Perez executes a flip throw-in.

DP, which has not lost a home game all season, will host its semifinal match on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY

“One of my teammates set a screen for me, and I went up and took the deflection and headed it right over the goalie,” said Tangel after being dog-piled carried off the field. “Hopefully we can carry the legacy of my dad’s team by going to the championships.”

For a program that won just one game two years ago and six last season, being in the semifinals with a 14-5-7 record is something coach Tovi Eliasen called “a dream season.”

“Midway through the season I think they realized that we’re a really good team and that we can do something special,” said Eliasen. “We had some really trying games midway through, and I think that really helped us to say ‘You know what? We’re not gonna go through this and be disappointed at the end. We’re not gonna let a great opportunity slip.'”

The Chargers put a ball in the back of the net on a header in the 10th minute, but a foul was called as the Corona (14-5-3) goalie went down. Minutes later, the Panthers were awarded a penalty kick and converted to go up 1-0. Each team had five shots in the first half.

Things were drastically different from the opening whistle of the second half, as DP was putting balls in the box from all over the place but just couldn’t convert. In one 5-minute span, the Chargers had three free kicks and a corner kick. Rodrigo Perez also sent in some dangerous balls with his front-flip throw-in.

The Chargers out-shot Corona 14-6 in the period.

“I think it was the sense of urgency. I think there was a little bit of nervousness in such a big game, and these guys have had a tremendous season. Being this far into it is brand new for all of them,” said Eliasen. “I think it’s natural that they had a little bit of a let-down in the first half after such a high on Tuesday (a 4-1 win over Valley View).”

Chargers keeper Chris Castillo had two leaping saves of balls that the Panthers rocketed on frame in the second half, which were no doubt game-savers.

The pattern of DP keeping the ball deep in Corona territory didn’t stop in the overtime, as Lara set up from about 40 yards out from the left side and Tangel came up from the back of the pack to head it in.

Should both Santa Barbara and DP win their home semifinal matches on Tuesday, the Dons and Chargers would play for the Division II title a week from either Friday or Saturday.

“We’re just gonna have to train hard and keep playing our game,” said Tangel.

An inside look at Titan Sports Performance Center

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJxP4GOpYNY