Santa Barbara boys soccer coach Todd Heil put it straight after his team lost its second straight match to open the season.
“We’ve allowed five goals in two games. Defensively, we have some work to put in.”
The Dons gave up a goal in the 79th miunte and lost to St. Francis 3-2 in a battle of perennial CIF boys soccer powers in La Canada on Friday night.
The Dons got off to a quick start, taking a 1-0 lead 40 seconds into the match as Alexis Carmona scored off a cross from Marco Sanchez.
St. Francis fought back and scored goals in the 14th and 17th minutes to take the lead. Both goals came on counterattacks.
The Dons regrouped in the second half and knotted the scored at 2-2 on a goal by Sanford Spivey. The Boston University-bound midfielder headed in a cross from Cooper Allerand.
Santa Barbara gave up the game-winner on a corner kick.
Heil said he was pleased with his team’s offense, but the defense needs work.
“We finished our chances against a really good St. Francis team,” he said. “The goals we’re giving up are off counters and set pieces. It’s something fixable.”
