Pepe Barron scored the game-winner for the SBSC U18s in the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional quarterfinals.
The Santa Barbara Soccer Club’s boys Under-18 and U16 teams advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Youth Soccer Far Regionals in Albuquerque, N.M. on Friday.
Pepe Barron scored in the 82nd minute to lift the Santa Barbara U18s to a 3-2 win over La Roca FC Premier 96 of Utah.
The U16s, meanwhile, ran over LVSA 98 Red of Nevada, 7-0. The Santa Barbara team has won two straight USYS National titles.
In Saturday’s regional semifinals, the SBSC U16s will play TSA 98 Red of Arizona, while the U18s take on Serano 96 White of Arizona.
Santa Barbara couldn’t hold 2-0 lead in its quarterfinal match against La Roca. The Utah team got goals in the 71st and 81st minutes to tie the score. But Barron, a 20-goal scorer at Santa Barbara High this past season, responded a minute after La Roca’s tying goal, keeping SBSC’s title hopes alive.
Geoffrey Acheampong continued his scorching play, scoring his fifth goal of the tournament to give SBSC a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute. Ricky Reyes made it 2-0 in the 39th minute.
La Roca got a goal from Kyle Coffee in the 71s minute and tied the score on a shot by Innocent Twishime in the 81st.
U16S ROMP
Anthony Andoyan and Chairat Puengrod each scored two goals, powering SBSC into the semifinals.
Brandon Sanchez, Sahid Conteh and Dennis Cole added single goals in the rout. For Sanchez, it was his fourth goal of the tournament, tying him for the division lead.
This group is seeking its third straight regional title. It will play a TSA 98 Red team that advanced with a 2-0 win over Classic FC of New Mexico.
