The top five Moore League boys’ soccer teams are separated by only five points in the standings after two close calls on Wednesday.
Cabrillo 0, Wilson 0
A relatively even affair at Cabrillo gave both the Jaguars and Bruins an important league point. The home side held the statistical advantage, outshooting Wilson 10-5, but the visitors are still atop the league standings.
“It was a big game with good defense,” Cabrillo coach Pat Noyes said. “First half we were terrible, but in the second half I think we passed the ball much better and had more chances.”
The Cabrillo defense and goalkeeper Yancy Monterola delivered their 11th shutout performance in the last 13 games. The Jaguars have only allowed eight goals in 17 games this season, and one goal in five league games.
“The same group has been together back there,” Noyes said. “We’re not really giving up shots that get to our goalkeeper. Shots against us from 30 yards and in are almost always blocked.”
“We just have a team bond, and we know and love each other like brothers,” Cabrillo senior defender Hugo Rojas said. “The other center back (Jose Robles) and I know each other really well. If the ball is in the air I look at him, he looks at me, and we already know who is going to go for it.”
There were only six shots on goal in the game, and the best chances to score came off of set pieces, which Cabrillo had the majority of during the more lively second half.
“The key to the game for us is that we couldn’t keep up with their aggressive style,” Wilson coach C.J. Brewer said.
Wilson senior defender Daniel Frazier had a standout performance against Cabrillo striker Arnold Giron, and is the biggest reason the game stayed scoreless. Bruins goalkeeper Norman Chang made four saves for Wilson’s sixth clean sheet of the season.
“He’s always been a very good man marker,” Brewer said of Frazier. “He’s always played against the best player on the other team. He went up against (Giron) today and I think it was a push. He got a lot of action, and he shut it down, so I agree he was the man of the match.”
“A lot of us are returning players who know how much the league fluctuates,” Frazier said. “We know what Cabrillo can do to us, and even what Compton can can do, so we know anything can happen. We try to be as prepared as possible.”
Millikan 3, LB Poly 2
The Rams pulled off a dramatic victory on the road thanks to a pair of Justin Huddleston goals in the second half. Millikan took the lead in the 15th minute on a Christian Monge goal, but Poly answered just before halftime on a Eugene Taparro goal. Huddleston gave the Rams a 2-1 lead in the 50th minute, and Ben Garza equalized for the Jackrabbits two minutes later, but Huddleston capped the scoring by converting a penalty kick in the 60th minute.
Lakewood 2, Compton 0
The Lancers picked up their first league win of the season at home thanks to goals from Michael Jimenez and Mark Lima. Lakewood goalkeeper Lewis Blanton delivered the shutout.
Moore League Standings
Wilson – 11 points (8-6-3, 3-0-2)
Cabrillo – 10 points (13-1-2, 3-1-1)
Millikan – 8 points (12-4-3, 2-1-2)
LB Poly – 7 points (7-5-3, 2-2-1)
Jordan – 6 points (2-2-4, 1-0-3)
Lakewood – 4 points (4-8-2, 1-3-1)
Compton – 0 points (2-6-1, 0-5-0)
Friday Schedule
Cabrillo at Millikan, Wilson at Poly, Jordan at Compton
