The Santa Barbara High boys soccer team finished the day with a win and a tie to win its group at the Palmdale Invitational.
The long trip to the Lancaster National Soccer Complex had no effect on the Dons, as Freddy Ibarra scored just five minutes into the team’s first match against Paraclete, which ended in a 5-0 rout.
“It was a pretty one-sided game,” head coach Todd Heil said.
Sachio Badham scored just three minutes after Ibarra, then Thomas Crawford made it 3-0. In the second half, George Guerero and Alec Larson each found the back of the net to ensure the victory.
Goalkeeper Elvis Mancilla kept a clean sheet for the second time this season.
The Dons’ second game against Eastside proved to be more challenging, and Santa Barbara conceded a goal in the first half.
“It was a little wake-up call for the second half,” Heil said.
Santa Barbara kept the pressure on its opponents while playing from behind and Alberto Hernandez put away a rebound to tie the game 1-1.
The game finished with that score, and the point earned from the draw was enough for the Dons to advance as the top seed in its pool.
Santa Barbara will play in the quarterfinals tomorrow at 9:00 AM.
