Calexico High's Luis Perez (right) dribbles past a Central Union High defender Friday in Calexico. (FERNANDO ACOSTA JR. PHOTO) |
CALEXICO — The Calexico High boys’ soccer team ended a three-year drought, winning the annual Copa del Valle and the Imperial Valley League title here Friday.
Calexico beat visiting Central Union High, 3-0, to take the cup and secure the league title.
“It’s sweet. It’s sweet for my players, it’s sweet for everyone … the cup is back home,” Calexico head coach Javier Bernal said.
Calexico kicked off the scoring in the 24th minute off a free kick about 10 yards outside of Central’s goalkeeper box.
Off a set play, Francisco Rodriguez scored with a left-footed shot to give Calexico a 1-0 lead at half time.
Three minutes into the second half, Calexico was up 2-0 with a goal by Jesus Vizcarra off a cross.
In the 23rd minute of the second half, Calexico’s Kodiak Monge sealed the game with a goal off a cross by Jonathan Arellano.
The tension built up as the game came to a close. That tension boiled over when a hard foul by Calexico’s Arturo Gerardo started a shoving match between both teams.
Gerardo was given a direct red card as was Central goalkeeper Roque Gonzalez after the two teams separated.
The game ended a few minutes later, giving Calexico the win.
“It was a tense game, we knew it was going to be like that,” Calexico senior midfielder Eduardo Galvan said.
Calexico (7-0-3 IVL) has two more games left in league, against Palo Verde Valley on Tuesday and Imperial on Thursday.
Central (6-4-1 IVL) has one game left, at the Yellowjackets on Thursday.
Calexico beat visiting Central Union High, 3-0, to take the cup and secure the league title.
“It’s sweet. It’s sweet for my players, it’s sweet for everyone … the cup is back home,” Calexico head coach Javier Bernal said.
Calexico kicked off the scoring in the 24th minute off a free kick about 10 yards outside of Central’s goalkeeper box.
Off a set play, Francisco Rodriguez scored with a left-footed shot to give Calexico a 1-0 lead at half time.
Three minutes into the second half, Calexico was up 2-0 with a goal by Jesus Vizcarra off a cross.
In the 23rd minute of the second half, Calexico’s Kodiak Monge sealed the game with a goal off a cross by Jonathan Arellano.
The tension built up as the game came to a close. That tension boiled over when a hard foul by Calexico’s Arturo Gerardo started a shoving match between both teams.
Gerardo was given a direct red card as was Central goalkeeper Roque Gonzalez after the two teams separated.
The game ended a few minutes later, giving Calexico the win.
“It was a tense game, we knew it was going to be like that,” Calexico senior midfielder Eduardo Galvan said.
Calexico (7-0-3 IVL) has two more games left in league, against Palo Verde Valley on Tuesday and Imperial on Thursday.
Central (6-4-1 IVL) has one game left, at the Yellowjackets on Thursday.
