Reseda Rides Bumpy Road to 2-1 Victory

RESEDA — Undersized but not undetermined, the San Fernando boys’ soccer team held off the inevitable for more than 70 minutes Wednesday before succumbing to Reseda, 2-1, in a City Section second-round playoff match.

The speed and physical play of No. 14-seeded San Fernando held the more-skilled Regents in check for the first half and part of the second, but a goal by William Diaz in the 63rd minute and a penalty kick by Luis Nunez in the 72nd allowed Reseda to advance.

“We didn’t pass the ball very well but San Fernando had a lot to do with that,” said Reseda Coach Terry Davila, who guides the City’s No. 3-seeded team. “They hit the hell out of us and took what the refs gave them.”

San Fernando (12-6-3) took the fight to Reseda from the opening whistle, crashing into the Regents both on the ground and in the air and receiving four yellow-card warnings for rough play.

And though such tactics stymied Reseda’s offense at first, the Regents eventually adapted and began to work the ball-control magic that has carried them to a 21-2-5 record.

Midfielders Jorge Aguilar, Nelson Perelta and Marvin Quianjo started to find ways past the Tigers’ grasp and sent the ball up to forwards Diaz and Alex Acevedo. Meanwhile, towering sweeper Jose Mejia took care of business in front of the Regents’ goal.

“We got a bit intimidated but we have to realize that not all teams play like us and we have to adjust,” said Reseda’s Diaz, who has 26 goals. “We started to do that at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second by communicating more. When you know where everyone’s going to be you have someone to release the ball to when the other team starts hacking you.”

San Fernando had a chance to score first in the 56th minute when left wing Ruben Bolanos jarred several defenders off the ball then worked a nifty give-and-go with midfielder Johnny Navas to create room for a shot. However, Bolanos’ powerful attempt bounced off the left post and out of bounds.

Seven minutes later, Diaz took a pass from Acevedo at the top of the penalty area and put a low, skidding shot inside the left post. Diaz also had a hand in the Regents’ second goal when he accelerated past a San Fernando fullback and was pulled down on the right side of the penalty area. Reseda was awarded a penalty kick that Nunez drilled into the lower right of the net for his 16th goal.

San Fernando scored in the 78th minute when Juan Arteche headed in a corner kick.

* SOCCER ROUNDUP: C11