Santa Barbara High’s boys soccer team suffered a heartbreaking defeat at Loyola on penalty kicks in a first-round CIF-SS Division 1 playoff match on Friday in Los Angeles.
The perennial Division 1 powers were tied 1-1 after regulation time and two 10-minute overtime periods. The host Cubs won the PK shootout 4-2 to advance to the second round and end Santa Barbara’s season at 13-6-3.
Alan Sanchez gave the Dons the lead in the second half, and the score remained 1-0 as the match went into extra time.
Loyola scored the equalizer during the extended added time given by the referee.
Santa Barbara coach Ricardo Alcaraz questioned the amount of extra time allowed by the referee.
“I felt the game was over, and it was just odd the referee gave them more time,” he said. “But that’s soccer sometimes. We didn’t get some calls that I felt should have gone our way. We did enough to win the game.”
It’s the second straight season the Dons have been knocked out of the playoffs by Loyola.
“I’m proud of our kids for the great effort they put in tonight,” said Alcaraz. “This is a tough place to play and I thought the game was over, but they took advantage of the extra time.”
He praised the play of the defenders Luke Goodman, Barrett Goodman, Andres Arroyo and Brendan McNulty.
“Our back four of Luke, Barrett, Andres and Brendan played solid. Andres playing sick, Brendan coming off the bench and Luke playing with an injured ankle, these guys, along with a few others playing through injuries, are tough kids and they gave it their all tonight.
“I know it’s not the result we wanted but they can leave the field knowing they gave it their all.”