Buena’s 5-1 victory over Dos Pueblos on Thursday ensured that the Channel League title race won’t be decided until the final week of the regular season.
The Chargers, seeking their first league championship in 30 years, are 5-1-1 with 16 points while Buena improved to 4-0-2 for 14 points. Dos Pueblos hosts San Marcos on Tuesday in its regular-season finale; Buena has games remaining at home versus Ventura and at Santa Barbara on Thursday.
“Our destiny was in our hands, now we have to wait and see how things unfold,” said Chargers head coach Hugh Hollis. “This was our first loss in 10 games so we have had a very good run.”
Dos Pueblos scored first in the 25th minute as Ady Willett beat defenders on the wing and sent a perfect cross to Anya Schmitz for the goal.
Buena responded by taking a 2-1 lead before halftime and extending its advantage with three second-half goals. Buena’s Haile Mace scored the go-ahead goal late in the first half.
“After the break the Chargers had a good opportunity to level the score when Willett was put through but agonizingly saw her effort hit the post and go out of play,” Hollis said. “In an effort to get back into the game DP through players forward in an attempt to get the all-important goal but doing so left them a little bit vulnerable at the back.”
