Tony Andoyan was fouled in the penalty area and Benji Garcia converted the resulting penalty kick for the game’s only goal as the Santa Barbara Soccer Club’s boys under-14 White team defeated the top-ranked CVV Stars of Arizona 1-0 to finish group play undefeated at the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals in Phoenix on Wednesday.
Santa Barbara won Group D with a 3-0 record (all 1-0 wins) and will face Group A runner-up Boise Nationals Liverpool in Friday’s quarterfinals.
Santa Barbara created some good scoring chances against the team ranked No. 1 in the country, coach Rudy Ybarra said. “The goalkeeper of the CVV Stars came up big to keep the score 1-0.”
Giovanny Acosta set up Andoyan with a through ball into the box and Andoyan was tripped just before shooting the ball. The referee made the call and awarded the PK. Garcia beat the goalkeeper with a shot to the low left corner.
Santa Barbara’s defense turned in another solid performance and goalkeeper Lalo Delgado posted his third shutout.
Friday’s other quarterfinal matchups are WPFC 97 Black of Washington vs. Alum Rock PAC Impact of Northern California, New Mexico Rush Nike 98 vs. Juventus Heat of Northern California, and Arsenal FC of California vs. Willamette United Arsenal or Oregon.
The semifinals are Saturday and the final on Sunday.
