Tony Alvarez and Oscar Montes helped give Carpinteria’s boys soccer team an elusive CIF playoff victory on Thursday.
The Warriors brought down visiting Inglewood 2-1, surviving the first round for the first time in three years.
“I’m was really happy for them,” said Warriors head coach Daniel Torres. “Especially with our seniors. They didn’t want to lose and they showed it.”
Carpinteria (15-5-2) suffered first-round exits in 2008 and 2009 after winning the Tri-Valley League title both years.
Montes put the Warriors on top in the first half off an assist from Alvarez, who deftly controlled a pass from Eduardo Contreras back to an oncoming Montes. Montes ripped a shot from 20 yards without missing a stride to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.
“It was probably the best goal we’ve scored this season,” Torres claimed.
Alvarez gave Carpinteria a much-needed cushion in the second half with his goal. Sergio Ortega assisted, finding Alvarez in the penalty area. Alvarez faked like he was going to trap it but let it roll by and quickly turned on it to unleash a shot from the penalty-kick spot.
Inglewood cut the lead in half a few minutes later but never seriously threatened to equalize.
The Warriors will most likely face No. 1 seed Corona del Mar on Tuesday, with the location to be determined by a Friday morning coin-flip.
