BY TED APODACA: The Pacifica High boys soccer team made a strong run in the Marina Tournament, reaching the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Long Beach Cabrillo in a penalty kick shootout.
The Mariners (5-3-2) played Cabrillo to a 0-0 tie in regulation, but ended up losing the penalty-kick shootout 5-3. Despite the close loss, the Mariners are trending in the right direction as league play looms next week.
BY TED APODACA: The Pacifica High boys soccer team made a strong run in the Marina Tournament, reaching the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Long Beach Cabrillo in a penalty kick shootout.
The Mariners (5-3-2) played Cabrillo to a 0-0 tie in regulation, but ended up losing the penalty-kick shootout 5-3. Despite the close loss, the Mariners are trending in the right direction as league play looms next week.
The Mariners defeated Redondo 3-1 and Westminster, 1-0, in pool play, then they topped Orange, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the championship bracket before falling to Cabrillo. The Mariners finished fourth in the 24-team field. The one goal allowed in four games highlighted the team’s effort.
“All season, our defense has been our strength,” Head Coach Cole Fipps said.
Sophomore goalkeeper David Calva has become a key factor in the defense, not just in the net, but in communicating with the back line defenders to help keep them working as a unit.
Seniors Jacob Odell and Rosario Ungaro are providing leadership for the team, as is junior Matt Martinez. The Mariners had one more non-league game on Tuesday against Los Amigos (after press time), then will get into Empire League play next week at Valencia on Tuesday Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. They will host Kennedy on Jan. 15 at 3 p.m.
Valencia won the Empire League title last year with a 10-0 record. Pacifica finished fourth, but could be set to make a run this season.
