Brandon Sanchez of the Santa Barbara Soccer Club’s U16 team scored two goals in a 4-2 win over Crossfire Premier of Washington.
The Santa Barbara Soccer Club’s boys Under-18 and U16 teams finished first in their respective groups after big wins Wednesday at the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals in Albuquerque, N.M.
The U16s got two goals from Brandon Sanchez and defeated Crossfire Premier 97 of Washington, 4-2. Sahid Conteh and Benji Garcia also scored for Santa Barbara, which won Group D on goal differential over Colorado Storm 98 North Royal. They tied with 2-0-1 records.
Conte gave Santa Barbara a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute and Sanchez scored his first goal in the 26th minute for a 2-0 advantage. Sanchez made it 3-0 at the 51st minute before Crossfire responded with two quick goals from Miles Sanchez.
Garcia secured the victory with a goal in the 70th minute.
Geoffrey Acheampong scored his fourth goal of the tournament to help the SBSC U18s beat Legends FC of Chino Hills, 2-0, and finish 3-0 in Group D. Joseph Hernandez broke a scoreless draw in the 70th minute and Acheampong followed three minutes later.
The knockout round of the regionals begins on Friday.
