Dons finally meet their match in CDM

DOWNEY – Say it ain’t so.

Santa Barbara High’s dominating run through CIF’s postseason is officially over – and along with it the Dons’ bid for an undefeated season – as Corona del Mar finally stopped the Dons 1-0 in Saturday’s Division-II CIF SoCal Regional final played at Warren High School in Los Angeles.

The Sea Kings’ Reed Williams scored his 32nd goal of the season in the third minute to give CDM all it needed to claim its second CIF title in as many weeks.

Santa Barbara's Marcos Lopez, left, and CDM keeper Connor Gaal both have their eyes on the ball bouncing dangerously in the Sea Kings' penalty box.

“Sadly it was our last game together, so that makes everything worse,” said a teary-eyed Jesse Gonzalez, one of many Dons trying to keep their heads up after such a disappointing finish to a great season.

Santa Barbara, which finishes its memorable D-II CIF-ss championship season with a 31-1-1 record, had plenty of chances for the equalizer but failed to score in just the second game all season.

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“I thought we dominated the game,” Santa Barbara’s Alex Santana said after the game. “It was unfortunate we didn’t get a goal and they got an early goal on us.”

Santa Barbara's Christian Pardo, left, and Corona del Mar's Paul Zubatov jockey for position.

The Dons’ best chance came in the 48th minute. Corona del Mar’s keeper Connor Gaal picked up a pass-back from one of his defenders, giving Santa Barbara a golden opportunity with a dangerous indirect free kick 10 yards in front of the goal. Tony Alfaro tapped the ball over to Brian Joseff, whose shot slammed into the crossbar and deflected out of bounds.

The Sea Kings were able to convert off a throw-in, which is a set play CDM coach George Larson said was nearly indefensible.

“The problem with scouting us is there’s nothing you can really do with a scout on Corona del Mar. Because the reality is, we’re very good on set pieces. People know that and they can’t stop it,” he said. “We’ve been doing that to every team we play.”

Williams was able to rise above two markers to head the throw into the Dons’ goal.

“Games are won and lost inside the 18-yard boxes and we finish inside the 18 better than any team in high school soccer,” claimed Larson.

“I think that’s my fault,” said Dons head coach Todd Heil about the goal allowed. “We didn’t set up for a corner kick on that throw-in. If I had to do it all over again, we would have set up differently.”

After the early goal, CDM was able to hold defenders back and successfully rode out the victory.

“This is huge for us,” said the Sea Kings’ Gaal. “We just wanted to prove to everyone that we could play with any division, any team.”

Corona del Mar won the Division IV title last week with a 2-0 victory over La Mirada.