JESUS CANO
Prep2Prep Adult Contributor

January 30, 2020

ANTIOCH — Last week was a rough stretch for Freedom's boys soccer, and it didn’t seem like it was getting easier.

The Falcons came off two ties versus Deer Valley and Pittsburg. Not just that, but junior Alberto Padilla suffered a potential season ending injury Thursday night against Pittsburg. Not a good sign for Freedom’s offensive attack with Jacob Lepore sidelined for a majority of the year.

Coming into a Tuesday night match against first place Antioch, Freedom needed someone to step up. Elias Castro did just that, scoring the game winner in the Falcons 1-0 win.

“It’s a turning point right when we need it,” said Freedom head coach Sal Acevedo. “It could help us gain our confidence back. We took a lot more risks more than we would normally make, that’s how much this game means to me.”

After a back-and-forth battle between these two teams, the silence was broken on after an unmarked Castro sent a header in perfectly past a diving Melvin Morales.

“It’s the most important thing right now,” said Castro. “I feel like no one was around me. I just followed the ball and headed it in. It felt great because it was my first goal of the season.”

The score help up that way for the rest of the game, with Eduardo Marin recording a clean sheet.

Freshman phenom Junior Picón’s presence was missed, as he was doing some Olympic Development work in Florida. However, fresh off the plane, he was a difference maker for Antioch. It could be a different story next time these teams play, with a lot at stake.

“I can almost guarantee we’ll win the next game,” said Antioch head coach Conrad Diaz.

Around the BVAL

Pittsburg's boys routed Heritage 4-1 with goals from Saul Vasquez, Quatama Massaquoi, Juan Rivera and Angel Ramirez. Basel Abumailish scored Heritage’s lone goal, off an assist from Nikko Citero.

Liberty and Deer Valley boys tied 1-1.

Freedom's girls picked up their first win of the season. Paulina Guttirez, Adriana Avila and Carly Singleton each recorded a goal in the 3-0 win over Antioch.

Liberty took down Deer Valley 2-0 with goals from Kaitlin Carlton and Makayla Marinaro.

Hailey Hamataka recorded a brace in Heritage’s 5-1 win over Pittsburg, keeping Heritage and Liberty tied atop the BVAL standings.