Golden Valley downs Highland in OT for SEYL boys soccer title
| Friday, Feb 13 2009 02:40 AM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 01:27 PM
The Golden Valley boys soccer team knew what was at stake in its match against Highland.
A win would assure the Bulldogs their third consecutive Southeast Yosemite League championship. A loss or tie could open the door for Highland or Bakersfield High.
But Golden Valley wasn't in the mood to take any chances with fate Thursday night. The Bulldogs got two goals from Abel Hinojosa in the second half of overtime to beat the host Scots 2-0.
The game featured six yellow cards and was terminated two minutes early after Golden Valley's Giovanny Mendez was red carded for punching Placencia.
"The second half of the overtime we changed our formation," Golden Valley coach Troy Lynch said. "A tie wasn't going to help us out at all so we went to basically a 4-3-3 with three forwards up top to put more pressure on their defense and so they just couldn't counter attack us.
"With three of our guys up top it's pretty dangerous and finally we eventually put one in the back of the net."
Golden Valley (22-2-3, 9-2-1) finished with 12 shots on goal but had a hard time getting anything past Highland goal keeper Carlos Rodriguez, who made several dazzling saves.
But after numerous scoring chances Hinojosa finally broke through in the 94th minute. A couple of minutes later Hinojosa beat Rodriguez again.
"It feels good because it was a hard game and we were tired," Hinojosa said after his ninth and tenth goals of the season. "It was hard but it feels good to score two goals and come out with a win."
The Scots (14-8-4, 7-3-2 SEYL) controlled the action in the first half of overtime but couldn't convert on two golden scoring opportunities.
First Latif Kadri sent a cross towards the goal that Golden Valley keeper Edgar Valladolid mishandled and nearly allowed to roll past goal line.
Moments later Highland midfielder Carlos Placencia fired a rocket just inside the near post that Valladolid nearly dropped.
"I think we played well," Highland coach Vince Gonzalez said. "They gave it all that they had. I think it was probably one of our best games this season. Unfortunately it didn't go our way."
However, the second half of overtime was all Golden Valley.
"They knew it was a do or die tonight and we set the tone early," Lynch said. "Their keeper came up with big saves and kept them in the game. Eventually we finally pulled it out in the overtime."
The game featured six yellow cards and was terminated two minutes early after Golden Valley's Giovanny Mendez was red carded for punching Placencia.
The first half ended with neither team able to find the back of the net despite several close calls.
In the 30th minute Golden Valley's Roberto Moreno struck a hard volley straight in from just outside the 18-yard line that Highland keeper Rodriguez was able to just tip over the crossbar.
It was the second solid scoring chance of the game for Moreno. Earlier in the half his direct kick from 25-yards out missed high and wide left.
"Their keeper is unbelievable," Lynch said. "He came up with some huge saves. And when you have a keeper like that and he comes up with three or four great saves it keeps you in the match. Eventually we broke through. He can only save so many times."
