Carpinteria coach Danny Torres told his players back in November that he expected them to be playing soccer on the first weekend of March.
The Warriors didn’t disappoint their coach.
In the CIF Division 5 semifinals at league rival Oaks Christian on Tuesday, they erupted for three goals in the first 11 minutes and romped to 4-1 victory that advances them into Saturday’s championship against Baldwin Park, a 2-1 double-overtime winner over Animo Leadership.
“It’s a reality and we don’t want to let it go,” Torres said about realizing their preseason goal of playing for a CIF title. “We want to join that 1999 team and make history at Carpinteria High.”
The 1999 team is the only CIF soccer champion at the school. The Warriors last played for the title in 2004 and lost to Windward.
Any doubts about them not being able to beat Oaks Christian for a third time were quickly put to rest.
Edwin Elizarraras cracked a shot into the right corner of the net in the third minute and Mohammed Mehai scored on a header six minutes later to put the Lions in big hole on their field.
Ismael Soriano was sent through on a one-on-one opportunity and beat goalkeeper Christian Campat by lofting a shot over his head to make it 3-0 at the 11th minute.
“We had three on them before they even crossed the midfield stripe,” said Torres. “It was almost a scripted beginning.”
“It was a tough way to open the game,” said Oaks Christian coach Greg Dmitrowich. “The funny thing was, we actually outshot them in that stretch. But the ball seemed to bounce their way, and they took advantage.
“It’s so tough to dig your way out of a hole like that against a really good teams, and they (the Warriors) are an amazing team.”
Soriano scored again in the second half for a 4-0 lead. It was his 27th goal of the season.
Oaks Christian avoided the shutout with a goal by Gabe Jefferson in the final minute. The Lions, seeking their first trip to the finals since winning a title in 2008, finishes at 13-8-1.
Carpinteria improves to 20-3-3.
“I told the boys that when the whistle blows you go 100 percent for your teammates, your high school and and your community,” Torres said about playing in a semifinal. “If you do well, you’re going to be on top.
“When we went up 3-0, I asked my assistant, ‘Is this real? Wake me up.’ ’’
Torres is in his third year coaching at Carpinteria. His first team was eliminated in the first round and last year’s team reached the second round.
Now he’s taking the Warriors to the final.
“Our goal was to play the first weekend in March.”
Represent Warriors! Bring home the title! Football team couldnt do it — basketball team couldnt do it – baseball team won’t do it — it’s up to u guys to bring home the title, so next year, you are the Defending CIF Southern Section Div 5 Champions!