Jason Ildefonso sparked a second-half surge to keep Santa Barbara High’s boys soccer team in first place in the Channel League.
Ildefonso broke a scoreless draw in the 66th minute with a flick of a Jumoke Hutton throw-in and assisted on two more goals in a 3-0 Dons’ victory at Peabody Stadium.
The win keeps Santa Barbara in a first-place tie with Ventura at 5-1.
Santa Barbara, which outshot Buena 22-5, made it 2-0 in the 74th minute on a goal by freshman Brandon Sanchez. Ildefonso fed Sanchez, who ripped a shot from 30 yards that Buena goalkeeper Matt Martinez couldn’t stop.
Matt Medina tacked on the third goal with a minute left in the match. Ildefonso set up the goal with a cross into the box.
Goalkeeper Elvis Mancilla posted his 14th shutout of the season.
The Dons (18-4-1) conclude the regular season with a pair of crosstown matches. They play host to San Marcos on Tuesday and travel to Dos Pueblos next Thursday.
