Santa Barbara Soccer Club’s U18 boys began their quest for a U.S. Youth Soccer national title Tuesday morning with a 2-1 win over the Scottsdale, Ariz., Redhawks at the national tournament in Germantown, Md.
Santa Barbara got on the board in the 9th minute with a goal by Miguel Padron on an assist from Joe Hernandez.
Arizona tied the score just before halftime.
Hernandez scored the game winner in the 75th minute off a corner kick from Geoffrey Acheampong. Hernandez beat one of the six-plus Blackhawk defenders.
“Arizona proved to be a worthy and difficult opponent with several physically imposing players on their roster,” said assistant coach Jesus Landeros.
Defensively the 18’s back line comprised of center backs Robbie Landeros and Randy Mendoza and outside backs Pepe Barron and Ricky Arroyo all played a solid defensive game, Landeros said.
SBSC plays Ohio on Wednesday morning.
U16s BLANK SUNRISE ELITE
The SBSC U16s team opened group play with a 2-0 victory over a very good Sunrise Elite team from Florida.
The first goal came at the 24th minute by Dennis Cole on an assist from Gio Acosta. Sahid Conteh put in the second goal off an assist from Brandon Sanchez in the 39th minute.
The U16s are looking to win their third straight national title, matching four other teams in the history of the U.S. Youth National Championships.
According to Landeros, the keys to the game against Sunrise Elite were the tactical discipline and team defensive approach that led to the creation of scoring opportunities.
The U16s play Chicago Magic Preacademy on Wednesday.
