Robbie Landeros converted a game-tying penalty kick in the 73rd minute, and San Marcos survived several Dos Pueblos threats and missed on two quality chances in the final minutes to come away with a 2-2 draw in a Channel League boys soccer match on a frigid evening at Scott O’Leary Stadium.
Landeros’ penalty kick was awarded after Bryan Cantero’s free kick from midfield hit the lower arm of a DP player in the box.
Dos Pueblos pushed hard to get the lead back. Forward Omar Montalvo missed wide on a free kick from 25 yards and the Chargers couldn’t convert on three Montalvo corner kicks.
San Marcos had two great chances to score the game-winner. On the first one, Joseph Meza’s shot was stopped by a diving DP goalkeeper Nick Van Horn at the near post. On the second chance, Ian Hall jumped on a loose ball with the Van Horn out of the net but he hit his shot over the crossbar.
The result leaves San Marcos at 2-7-1 and 0-0-1 in league. Dos Pueblos is 6-7-2 and 0-1-1.
San Marcos coach Matt Winecki was happy with the tie.
“That’s what we came to do, to tell you the truth,” Winecki said. “That was the mindset from two months ago: first (league) game away, let’s take a point. If we sneak a win, we’re happy. Tonight, we’re lucky to get a point, but we’ll take it.”
The Chargers were not as satisfied with the result.
“We’re always happy to get some point but I think our guys felt they played good enough to get the win and the result,” DP coach Matt York said. “I won’t begrudge a tie because (San Marcos) had a shot to win at the end.”
Hall assisted on the first goal of the game, working a nice give-and-go with Inri Cortez in the 7th minute.
“I wish we could do more of that throughout the game,” Winecki said. “We’d be under less pressure. It was a good starting point.”
The Royals held the 1-0 lead at halftime.
Dos Pueblos stepped up its attack in the second half and got the equalizer in the 63rd minute. Tim Heiduk crossed the ball from the right flank and Montalvo, making a center run, ripped a shot that was deflected into the net by freshman Manny Nwosu.
“I challenged the guys at halftime to really come out and show this is our home field,” York said. “I wanted to make some substitutions, but the guys on the field were playing well as a unit. They didn’t allow me to take them off the field.”
One of those players was Nwosu. He provided a spark to the DP attack.
“He played real well for a freshman,” York said. “It didn’t seem like the stage was too big for him in his first home game here in league. We’re all real proud of the effort he gave.”
The Chargers continued to pressure the San Marcos backline and were rewarded with a go-ahead goal by Montalvo from a sharp angle on the left side.
“We lost our concentration and against good players, when you lose concentration they’ll punish you, and that’s what he did,” Winecki said of trying to contain the left-footed Montalvo.
The Royals then got a big break. Landeros was fouled about 40 yards out, setting up Cantera’s free kick that struck the DP player on his lower arm.
“That’s part of soccer,” said York. “We had a couple of fouls they gave us that were right outside the box. That one happened to be in the box for them and it’s one of those where it goes their way this time, It’ll go our way next time. I’m not worried about it.”
The Royals’ defense, led by Kevin Shaw and Luis Mendez, and goalkeeper Kyle Carter were able to deny Montalvo and the Chargers for the rest of the game.
