Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Warriors third in final boys' soccer standings

Fallbrook High School’s boys’ soccer team ended the 2019-2020 season with a victory over Mission Vista High School to finalize the Warriors’ record at 6-5-10.

The record included a 3-4-3 performance in Valley League play which gave the Warriors a share of third place in the final league standings.

“I’m quite satisfied with third place. I believe the boys played a lot better toward the end of the season,” Fallbrook coach Jorge Rojas said.

The Warriors tied their first seven games of the season and entered Valley League play with a 3-1-7 mark. The Warriors’ final tie of the season was at home Feb. 4 against Ramona. The Warriors held a 1-0 halftime lead following a goal by junior Charlie Paez, but the Bulldogs scored the equalizer in the second half of what ended as a 1-1 game.

A Feb. 6 trip to Valley Center High School resulted in a 5-0 Jaguars victory.

“We had a really tough time away at Valley Center during their Senior Night,” Rojas said.

Only four of Fallbrook’s varsity regular starters played against the Jaguars; the other seven starters were normally substitute or junior varsity players.

“We definitely were not playing with our varsity team,” Rojas said.

“They played their best,” Rojas said. “The cohesiveness wasn’t there.”

Valley Center had a 2-0 lead when the halftime whistle was blown and added three goals in the second 40 minutes of play.

“It’s just unfortunate,” Rojas said.

Fallbrook traveled to San Pasqual for a Feb. 11 contest, and the Golden Eagles were on the preferred end of the 1-0 final score.

“That was actually a pretty close match,” Rojas said.

The Golden Eagles scored the game’s only goal in the seventh minute.

“I’m actually happy with how the way things went,” Rojas said. “It was a complete 180 of the Valley Center game. We were a lot more synchronized. We played more cohesively. We just simply couldn’t find the net.”

Senior Night festivities preceded Fallbrook’s Feb. 13 home game against Mission Vista. Seniors accounted for three goals and an assist in the Warriors’ 4-2 victory.

“It was a good night for the seniors. They definitely excelled,” Rojas said.

Fallbrook has 12 seniors, and none of them were missing due to injuries or family emergencies, which had rendered various players unavailable during the league season. The underclassmen were also all able to play.

“It was pleasant to have everybody back,” Rojas said.

The Warriors opened the scoring when junior Bryan Rodriguez scored with an assist from senior Andres Martinez. A penalty kick was taken by senior Angel Gonzalez, who placed the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead. The Timberwolves narrowed the score to 2-1 before the first half ended.

The Warriors took a 3-1 lead when senior Joseph Bell scored off a corner kick. Mission Vista scored once again, but the Warriors regained their two-goal margin when Gonzalez scored on a direct kick.

“We outmatched Mission Vista in almost every aspect of the game,” Rojas said. “I was very happy with the way the boys responded.”

The loss gave Mission Vista a 3-4-3 final league record, allowing the Warriors to move into a share of third place. Valley Center’s 3-0 victory at Ramona that day would have tied Fallbrook and Valley Center for fourth place had the Warriors lost.

“Overall, I’m very happy and satisfied,” Rojas said. “I was happy on how the boys finished their season.”

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].

Author Bio

Joe Naiman, Writer

Joe Naiman has been writing for the Village News since 2001

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/29/2024 07:51