Dos Pueblos put together two impressive performances and advanced to the semifinals of the Cats and Hounds boys soccer tournament on Friday in Atascadero.
The Chargers routed Atascadero 6-1, with six different players scoring goals. They came back and blanked Nipomo 3-0, putting them in the semifinals on Saturday against Golden Valley.
Jessie Jimenez, Julio Rubio, Nathan Garcia, Manny Nwosu, Angel Arzate and freshman Sam Roberts scored against Atascadero.
Despite the offensive explosion, DP coach Matt York said the team was upset it conceded its first goal of the season “and it felt as though it hadn’t played a very complete game.”
Tim Heiduk was a dominating presence in the back for the Chargers, winning several balls in the air.
“We love seeing him take over the skies around our penalty box,” said York.
The Chargers played inspired soccer against Nipomo.
“This was the best I have ever seen one of my teams play over the course of my career,” York said. “I loved their energy, their communication, and their willingness to sacrifice everything for one another. After our sloppy and foul-ridden first game, I challenged them to play in the memory of my coaching mentor, the late great Coach Scott O’Leary. They took our talk to heart and played hard and with class.”
Defender Jon Sigurdson broke up several Nipomo plays and contributed to the DP attack. He had 12 tackles, great runs down the wing and zero unforced turnovers, York said.
The coach also praised journeyman senior Pedro Torres, “who came in the second half and played like a midfielder possessed.”
