JESUS CANO
Prep2Prep Adult Contributor

January 17, 2020

OAKLEY -- It hasn’t been pretty the past couple of games for the Freedom boys, but if they can perform every game like Thursday night, they’ll be in good shape to repeat their BVAL title from last year.

After knotting up ties against Heritage (2-10-2) and De Anza -- where head coach Sal Acevdo described the team to have its worst performance of the season -- the Falcons' 5-2 victory over Liberty is a good reminder as to why this returning group took home the league crown last year.

“It's the best way to bounce back,” said Acevedo. “Today we came in and showed what this team is made of. We’re not a perfect team. We have our flaws but we’re working on it. We wanted to make sure we overcame the last couple games.”

It didn’t take long for Freedom to get on the board with Alberto Padilla scoring 10 minutes in, but Liberty’s Israel Ortiz wasted no time getting past Freedom’s defense to tie up the game.

Padilla’s presence was still felt on Freedom's next goal after laying off a ball to senior Eduardo Navarro, who rifled the one-time ball to the upper 90.

“He saw me wide open. I knew it was a one touch finish ahead,” said Navarro.

Padilla connected with Navarro again to give Freedom the 3-1 edge heading into halftime.

Centerback Roberto Martinez made it 4-1 for Freedom, but it was again Ortiz responding back with his second goal of the game to cut the lead 4-2. Liberty presented itself with a handful of offensive threats, but nothing much could come out of it.

“We had a lot of good moments,” said first-year Liberty head coach Jesus Gomez. “Its been a change of mentality in the group. Things aren’t going to happen overnight but we have eight matches to play.”

Padilla scored again late in the game to make 5-2.

Around the BVAL

The Antioch boys picked up their second win of the league schedule after Julian Rodriguez’s free-kick was the game winner against Heritage. Ian Scheringer had an earlier goal for Antioch, while senior Ruben Huerta found the back of the net for the Patriots.

Saul Vasquez scored a hat trick in Pittsburg’s 3-0 victory over Deer Valley on the boys side.

The Heritage girls dominated Antioch, 7-0. Makeila Yancey picked up three goals and two assists for the Patriots, while Kaya Scott, Sami Wilson, Tiana LaFleur and Abby Salgado had a goal and an assist each.

The Liberty girls beat Freedom, 5-1. Kaitlin Carlton recorded a brace, while Alexis Gutierrez, Jesse Sotelo and Madison Del Prado each had a goal for the Lions.

Pittsburg and Deer Valley girls tied at nil.