Favi Rosales finished a rebound in the 73rd minute to give San Marcos a 2-1 boys soccer win over Buena to remain undefeated in the Channel League.
The Royals are 11-0-0 in league and 12-1-2 overall.
Rosales scored after Jose Ramirez fired a shot from close range that was deflected by the Buena goalkeeper. Rosales finished at the back post.
The Royals got their first goal when sophomore Jose Ramirez crossed a ball from the right to Luke Sheffey whose header beat the goalkeeper to the near post in the first half.
Buena equalized in the 72nd minute. The Bulldogs played a ball from the back and it skipped off a defender, hit the back post and went in.
“Buena is a solid team and they have a good defensive group,” said San Marcos coach Paul McLean. “Tully Knoles played four or five positions for us tonight and had a great impact on the game as did sophomores Jose Ramirez and Luis Botello. The backline did an excellent job as well.
“We were really pleased with our team’s response after giving up the goal. Good teams find a way to get the win and we did that tonight.”
Santa Barbara 2, Rio Mesa 1
Luca Peluffo and Walker Jensen scored for the Dons in the Channel League win.
“We controlled the game well, we were calm and patient in our possession which led to some early opportunities,” said coach Ricardo Alcaraz. “Unfortunately, we could not put them away, and with a team like Rio, they are dangerous if the game stays close.”
Peluffo broke the scoreless game in the 30th minute as the goalkeeper couldn’t hold on to his shot.
Jensen made it 2-0 with 10 minute left into the game off an assist from brother Carver Jensen.
“Carver played well tonight, he was moving the ball well for us and helping our team keep possession,” said Alcaraz.
Rio Mesa got on the board in the 78th minute.
Santa Barbara plays at first-place San Marcos on Thursday.
Dos Pueblos 1, Oxnard 1
Drew Hamers and Matt Sillers set up Fin Silver for Dos Pueblos’ goal in a Channel League draw with Oxnard.
Hamers fed Sillers on the left flank and he cross it into the 18-yard box. Silver pressured the goalkeeper causing a misplay and he was able to put the ball away in the 10th minute.
Oxnard scored the tying goal nine minutes later off a service into the box.
“Great effort by a lot of players, but standout performance of the first half and Man of the Match goes to Noe Pina Duarte,” said DP coach Matt York. “He played his secondary position, left back, and really helped shut down some of their big-powered offense.”
York also praised Silver, Hamers and center backs Andrew Gomez and Ethan Foong.
Dos Pueblos is 3-5-3 in league and 3-9-3 overall.
Santa Ynez 3, St. Joseph 0
Gabriel Beleski scored two goals and Tristan Amezcua added one for the Pirates in the Ocean League win.
Grace Brethren 2, Laguna Blanca 0
The Owls never recovered after conceding an early goal and lost the Frontier League match.
GIRLS
Rio Mesa 4, Santa Barbara 0
Rio Mesa capitalized on mistakes to win the Channel League game.
“We had positive moments in the first 20 minutes before they capitalized on out own mistake,” said coach Willie Sims.