SAN JOSE, CA -- Leigh used superior passing and speed to rebound from a one-goal deficit and defeat Los Gatos 3-1 in the final non-league match for the teams.
The teams showed great defense in the first half as very few shots on goal were attempted. The goalies on both teams were impressive as well, as the game remained a 0-0 tie late into the first half.
Los Gatos was finally able to take the lead with five minutes to go in the half on a goal by Aaron Craythorne. Despite the Los Gatos lead, the teams seemed evenly matched in the first half, but Leigh coach Mario Farfan was not impressed.
“They needed more effort -- not enough effort," he said. "It was a very sloppy game, to start out. These kids are very good soccer players, but when you see them playing like that, you’re hoping for more.
Leigh did all it was asked in the second by scoring three goals to zero for the Wildcats, using excellent passing and aggressive shot-taking.
Junior Nolan Smith started the scoring with a close-range shot to tie the game 1-1. Then senior Dominic Sorich began to take over the game. Sorich used his great speed to catch up to a long pass from Matt Goldstein, and scored to take the lead.
Only a few minutes later, Sorich was at it again, getting the ball close to the goal, before passing to fellow senior Neil Aoun. Aoun scored to put the game out of reach for Los Gatos.
Aoun, who seemed to be hobbled early in the second half, responded with not only that goal, but a series of highlight-reel worthy plays that just missed the net. Aoun, one one of those plays, stole the ball from Los Gatos’ goalie, displaying impressive ball skills and athleticism, before firing at the goal, missing by only inches.
“It’s our last preseason game, we had to step it up and get the win,” Aoun said.
The unsung hero of the game was Leigh’s goalie Jared Rojas, who recorded six saves including an impressive one-handed stop to keep the game in reach when Leigh was down 1-0.
Los Gatos coach Brad Radonich was impressed with his team's first half, not so much with the second.
“Communication is a big deal for us," he said. "When we’re communicating, our intensity is better, we're more aggressive. I thought for the first half we looked really good out there.
Los Gatos is 3-1-2. Leigh is 3-3-0.
