The FVHS Boys Soccer team played some exciting soccer this past weekend at the Irvine Challenge Cup. The boys played Division-5 Lakeside, Irvine High School, San Juan Hills, and Sunset league opponent Los Alamitos in the finals.
The Barons went undefeated in the tournament scoring 13 goals to only one conceded, and took home both the grand trophy for boys and girls as well as the first place boys trophy. On Friday night the boys played Lakeside High School who were recently ranked 1st in Division-5 polls and were undefeated on the season. Ethan Morrow (’12) and Joe Soloman (’11) had goals on the night.
The Barons overall played a very strong game winning 2-0 and keeping the shutout; setting a strong tone for the rest of the tournament. The next day the boys had two games at Irvine High School. One was against the host of the tournament Irvine, and the other against San Juan Hills.
In the first game, the Barons took charge and dominated the back and through the middle of the field. Morrow continued to lead the Barons on offense scoring two goals and assisting on Issac Garcia’s (’10) goal in the 2nd half. Eric Shearer (’12) also added to the total, helping end the game with 4-0 for the Barons.
Later in the day the boys took on San Juan Hills knowing that a shutout victory would send them to the finals on Monday. The boys were ready for the challenge and once again had another strong performance both on the defensive side of the ball as well as the attacking side.
The Barons continued to fill the score sheet as Garcia, Shearer, Wade Sias (’12), and Jacob Rodriguez (‘9) all found the net. Joseph Lorenger (’10) and Ryan Brown (’11) also kept the 3-game shutout streak rolling. The Barons ended with a win 4-0 and staked a place in the final game on Monday, which was looking like a Sunset League match-up against Los Alamitos.
“As good as this program has been,” commented Jason Smith on such a momentous occasion, “I can’t seem to remember the last time we played in a final.”
On that frigid finals day, the Barons opened up very well. Morrow scored a quick goal 10 minutes into the 1st half after a hectic battle in the box, his leading 5th of the year. However, Los Alamitos answered right away within the next 5 minutes with a similar play.
The rest of the half the Barons were pushed on their heals a bit by the speed of Los Al. By the end of the 1st half, though the Barons had regained their hold on the game and were threatening to score once more, there was a tie. But when they returned, the Barons showed their grit and determination, taking hold of the game by winning balls and putting pressure up top.
The LA Griffins eventually broke on the tail end of a corner kick that bobbled out to Garret Stiffler (’11), who rocketed a volley into the side of the goal from the top of the box for his first of the year. The boys carried the momentum on top of their positive play, and Joseph Solomon sealed the game with a third goal for the Barons in the last 10 minutes of the game, with a final score of 3-1 .
The boys Varsity Soccer team took home both the grand trophy for the boys and girls team, awarded for highest overall point and goal totals, as well as the first place boys trophy. Hopefully, the Barons will take this early season success with them through the rest of pre-season and through the Marina tournament.
The Barons continue on this week at Katella on Wednesday and play Segerstrom here on Friday.
Those are sweeeet pictures! GO BOYS SOCCER!