The two-time national champion Santa Barbara Soccer Club Under-16 Boys White team tied its opening match at the U.S. Youth Soccer West Regionals in Albuquerque, N.M. on Monday.
Santa Barbara played the Colorado Storm 98 North Royal to a 1-1. Sahid Conteh scored in the 31st minute, but Colorado capitalized on goalkeeper mistake and tallied the equalizer in the 43rd.
“I think we obviously didn’t play as well as we are capable of, but we had some clear chances to score,” Santa Barbara coach Rudy Ybarra told U.S. Youth Soccer. “Not to take anything away from them, but I thought we controlled the first 20 minutes of the game, but in the end I think we had some attacking players who lacked intensity, but they are mature enough to understand that, and I think we will be just fine.”
Ybarra said the SBSC U16s have a target on their back.
“Everyone knows who we are and they want to show they can play with us. You get a reputation when you win three region championships and are back-to-back national champions.”
The SBSC U18s won their opener over Sparta 96 Premier of Utah, 4-1.
Geoffrey Acheampong got Santa Barbara off to a fast start with a goal in the third minute.
Sparta tied the score in the 27th minute and the teams went into halftime tied at 1-1.
Santa Barbara dominated the second half with three goals. It took the lead on a own goal in the 64th minute, and Miguel Pardon put the ball away in the 80th and 90th minutes to finish the scoring.
