Alfredo Ibarra moves upfield for the Dons on Tuesday.
Santa Barbara was back doing the things that helped it win a CIF boys soccer title last year: moving the ball on the ground, spreading the field and getting good looks at goal.
But this is a new year and the finishing touch isn’t there yet. As a result, the Dons lost their season opener to Oaks Christian, 2-1, at Peabody Stadium on Tuesday night
“We made it difficult on ourselves,” said coach Todd Heil “We outshot them 17-3. We were getting good looks, we’re just not finishing our chances.”
Oaks Christian scored on free kick in the first half and Alberto Hernandez tied the score for the Dons in the 63rd minute on a penalty kick after Alfredo Ibarra was taken down in the box.
The winning goal came on a counter attack in the 73rd minute.
“Oaks was celebrating like they won the CIF championship,” Heil said. “More power to them. Maybe this was a wake-up call to get us going.”
Santa Barbara's Alberto Hernandez maneuvers upfield. Hernandez would later go on to score SB's only goal on a penalty kick in the second half.
Sanford Spivey controls the ball for Santa Barbara
