Blue Bloods on display on Day 1 of SoCal College Showcase
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One of the country’s premier events of the Winter soccer season kicked off two days after Christmas as the SoCal College Showcase, an event jointly hosted by Cathedral and Orange Lutheran High, held at Chapman University in Orange, California. The…
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Continue ReadingOne of the country’s premier events of the Winter soccer season kicked off two days after Christmas as the SoCal College Showcase, an event jointly hosted by Cathedral and Orange Lutheran High, held at Chapman University in Orange, California. The three-day event features eight teams, with all eight facing one another at some point. It includes six of the elite programs from Southern California, a cream of the crop program from Northern California and the best of the best from Arizona.
LOYOLA 0-0 BROPHY PREP
The Showcase started with a very even, entertaining match that went back-and-forth as Brophy Prep traveled from Phoenix to take on Loyola-Los Angeles. The match ended in a scoreless draw, but was entertaining and did not lack for opportunities.
After being on the front foot for the early part of the first half, Loyola saw the Broncos settle into the match and have the run of play in the second half, though the chances were still pretty even.
“They definitely had most of the play in the second half,” Loyola coach Chris Walter said. “It was fairly even in the first half. We had a couple set pieces, as did they, that were close.”
There was one set piece in particular for each side that came very close. For the Cubs, it came in the 20th minute when Oliver Mass was able to volley a corner, but the ball sailed over the post. Brophy had a great chance on a corner kick by Peter Calihan in the 71st minute that went to the far post where Tobi Babarinade headed it back to the opposite post, but Kowen Lauck just couldn’t guide it into the net.
“It was a huge disappointment for us not to come out and score a few goals, but Loyola was extremely well organized and difficult to breakdown,” Brophy Prep coach Marc Kelly said. “I felt like one goal might open things up for us. A draw in the end isn’t terrible and I realize it happens out here a lot considering the talent across the board with these schools.”
Both teams had shots go just wide from the run of play in the second half as well. Loyola’s Sebastian Gabella Sebastian Gabella M CA had a 50th minute strike that went just wide while seven minutes later, Brophy’s Matthew White narrowly missed after nice link up play by Julian Dubash and Babarinade.
Peter Borges, Loyola, Junior, Forward
Borges came off the bench to make an impact, especially in the first half where offered some speed and versatility to help the Cubs get moving forward.
Benny Coury, Brophy Prep, Senior, Central Defender
Coury was very strong in the air, very active and led the defense against Loyola. He was also strong going forward, getting his head on a set piece early in the match that just missed the mark.
Julian Dubash, Brophy Prep, Senior, Holding Midfielder
Dubash is a critical element for the Broncos and showed why. He connects play, dictates the tempo and really controlled the game in the second half.
Chase Jones, Loyola, Senior, Forward
Jones was disruptive up top, using his size to challenge for balls in the air. He is a physical player who makes defenders work.
Michael McElhenney, Loyola, Senior, Defender
McLehenney is a very solid defender and does a solid job in every match. He read play well in this game, stepped in front and cut out passes and was strong challenging balls.
Aidan Nixon Aidan Nixon 6'0" | D Loyola | 2024 CA , Loyola, Junior, Defender
Nixon is the voice in the back for the Cubs. He runs the show and keeps everyone composed. He kept the defense organized well in this one.
Attila Toth, Brophy Prep, Junior, Striker
Toth showed off a lot of skill playing up top for the Broncos. He was very clever with the ball and very calculated with his runs. He also was very effective with the ball at his feet.
Matthew White, Brophy Prep, Senior, Attacking Midfielder
White showed the ability to run into open space, making him a dangerous player going forward. He looked like he was a threat to score or to set his teammates up.
CATHEDRAL 3-1 ORANGE LUTHERAN
The Showcase co-hosts Cathedral and Orange Lutheran squared off on the first day, and despite a hot start from the Lancers, the Phantoms were able to pick up the win in game number two, scoring the final three goals of the match.
“I thought we played well at times, but thought they had more maturity and controlled the flow of the game for large portions,” Orange Lutheran coach Mike Oseguera said. “They really executed at pivotal times, and we didn’t execute when we had chances. And with a program like Cathedral, a historical program that is used to winning, when they get a bit of momentum they are hard to keep up with.”
It couldn’t have started any better for Orange Lutheran, which scored in just the sixth minute after a perfect ball in from Xavier Alcantar from near the midline was headed home very deftly by Hector Arellanas for a quick 1-0 lead. After that goal, the mission was simple for Orange Lutheran.
“The message was to continue to adhere to the game plan and if anything increase the intensity,” Oseguera said. “They are gonna step up when they are down and they have big guys up top and they used that to have their dynamic guys running off them.”
As Cathedral is known to do, it leveled just four minutes later on a cracking goal by Giovanni Moreno. Justin Zapata Justin Zapata 5'9" | D Cathedral | 2023 CA played a looping ball in and after a bounce, Moreno did an over-the-head bicycle kick for a stunner.
Cathedral knocked on the door a couple of times before taking the lead. Aaron Espana hit the side-netting before halftime, trying to beat the keeper near post and drug it wide. Just after halftime, Alexander Bastidas Alexander Bastidas F Cathedral | 2023 CA also tried to beat the keeper near post and forced a save.
Just seven minutes later, in the 49th minute, Bastidas delivered a perfect ball into the box from a free kick, and Joseph Prado headed it home to make it 2-1. The Phantoms erased any doubt in the 55th minute when Moreno played a clever ball in from the left side to Matthew Murillo, who finished very cooly, hitting it with power to beat the keeper and making it 3-1.
“It was a mature performance by our boys,” Cathedral coach Art Lopez said. “Being down early and we responded with quality play and goals. Credit to Orange Lutheran for the early pressure but I feel we have learned from the strong schedule and we are able to take control of the game.”
Justin Zapata Justin Zapata 5'9" | D Cathedral | 2023 CA , Christopher Garcia Christopher Garcia 5'9" | D Cathedral (CA) | 2023 CA , Christopher Martinez Christopher Martinez 5'10" | D Cathedral | 2023 CA and Eddie De Leon were excellent on the back line for Cathedral with their work rate, anticipation and communication. Here are some other players who stood out during the match.
Hector Arellanas, Orange Lutheran, Junior, Attacking Midfielder
Aside from scoring the lone goal, an excellent one at that, Arellanas was active in the midfield all day. He created opportunities, made good runs through the back line and continued to put pressure on the Phantom defenders.
Alexander Bastidas Alexander Bastidas F Cathedral | 2023 CA , Cathedral, Senior, Attacking Midfielder
Bastidas was very active in the midfield, controlling the pace of play when he could, making good runs behind the line and forcing the issue with the Lancers defense.
Angel Guerra Angel Guerra 5'9" | F Cathedral (CA) | 2023 CA , Cathedral, Senior, Forward
Guerra was very effective on the outside, going forward, and cutting in and creating problems. He put a lot of pressure on the Orange Lutheran defense.
Giovanni Moreno, Cathedral, Junior, Forward
Moreno scored the incredible goal, but on top of that he was important in winning balls and creating scoring opportunities for the players making runs off of him.
Jordi Pineda, Orange Lutheran, Senior, Holding Midfielder
Pineda was all over the pitch in this match, doing an excellent job of covering the dynamic midfielders for Cathedral and the big strikers. He really did an excellent job of covering ground and keeping them at bay.
DE LA SALLE 0-1 SERVITE
Two more blue bloods from opposite ends of the state faced off in the third game as the kings of Division I in the North Coast Section in De La Salle faced off with the Division I kings of the Southern Section in Servite.
The Friars scored an early goal and it stood up as Joe Moyer’s 10th minute strike was good enough for the 1-0 win.
“I thought (it was an even match) especially after the first 10 minutes and we started to play a little bit,” De La Salle coach Derricke Brown said. “Great finish for their goal. I felt there were a couple of things that we were sloppy on in the lead up to that moment. You can’t make mistakes like that against the best teams.”
The scoring chances were aplenty in this match, as both teams came so close so many times. De La Salle had two very excellent chances to get an equalizer, while Servite nearly doubled its lead on several occasions.
“I felt like we had our chances and part of them being young is them finding themselves in those moments and taking those chances,” Garcia said. “That’s one thing that we are working on with them.”
The Spartans almost leveled the match just seven minutes after Moyer’s goal as Lucas Pfister hit a ball one time, and it was dipping under the bar but David Lim David Lim 6'2" | GK Servite | 2025 State CA made a great save. The other excellent opportunity was a 69th minute corner kick that Dominic Diaz Dominic Diaz M CA got on the other end of, and his header hit the post and somehow did not go in.
It took De La Salle a bit after the break to build up the attack, but it settled back into the match and nearly secured a draw. Servite went more attack-minded after halftime, using a right wing back forcing the Spartans to adjust.
“In their midfield they were man-marking us a lot, and I told Jahir (Gonzalez-Sandoval) to step between both of their midfielders and it gave us the length of the field and lot of openings,” Garcia said. “We wanted to expose the wide areas, and once we went wide we went into the middle.”
Servite had plenty of opportunities to make it a comfortable lead, including shots from Sam Sanchez and Mattias Kremer Mattias Kremer M Servite | 2025 CA , but the two best chances came late in the second half. Moyer found himself in front of goal and with the keeper going the other way, he nearly slotted home his second but Diego Heredia made a great kick save.
Jahir Gonzalez-Sandoval’s 72nd minute free kick from 25 yards out looked destined to sneak in under the bar but Heredia was able to push it over and keep it out.
Jahir Gonzalez-Sandoval, Servite, Senior, Attacking Midfielder
Gonzalez-Sandoval is what you want out of a No. 10. He is marauding going forward. He attacks with pace and purpose. He distributes the ball well and continues to make his run. He was a threat all game long.
Rylan Firouznam Rylan Firouznam F Servite | 2023 CA , Servite, Senior, Outside Defender
Firouznam showed the ability to defend, and then when the team was in transition to get up the flank. In the second half he played more of a wing back and was a constant threat going forward, showing good skill with the ball at his feet.
Diego Heredia, De La Salle, Junior, Keeper
Heredia came up with two very big saves in the second half, both mentioned above, to keep the Spartans in the match, and he made very good decisions when it came to distribution.
Cooper Kennedy, De La Salle, Senior, Attacking Midfielder
Kennedy was forced to slot back into the No. 10 spot and showed an excellent work rate. He never stopped and did a great job of helping the Spartans recover the ball on many occasions.
Hudson Merritt, De La Salle, Senior, Striker
Merritt played the No. 9 role well, holding up play and battled for every ball. He also tracked back well and helped the team hold their defensive shape.
Joe Moyer, Servite, Junior, Striker
Moyer knows how to score and showed it. His 10th minute goal was a thing of beauty. Buried in the upper V of the far post. He was a threat the whole game long, nearly scoring again and creating multiple opportunities.
BELLARMINE PREP 2-1 ST. AUGUSTINE
The Bells were on the doorstep of a big win, but in the 80th minute the Saints nearly spoiled their plans.
St. Augustine junior Iain Wagner Iain Wagner F St. Augustine | 2024 CA did a good job of drawing the defense to him as he approached the area, played the ball to Andres Brambila who got the ball past Nic Thiele for the equalizing goal, seemingly securing the draw at the death.
As it was seeming that a draw was inevitable, Bellarmine pushed quickly, and with the keeper out Kasdan Blattman sent a ball towards the goal, drew a handball and then converted the penalty that led to a 2-1 win.
“I am very proud of our guys. Giving up a goal that late in a game can really break your team’s spirit, but the guys rallied and thought they deserved the win,” Bellarmine coach Conor Salcido said. “We needed it after losing to Rio Americano in a game I thought we could have won. I thought St. Augustine was a very good team, though, and they had a couple of special players.”
Bellarmine seemed to knock on the door a lot early, but the breakthrough didn’t come until the 51st minute and the goal was a thing of beauty. Oswaldo Navarro Oswaldo Navarro F CA cut in from the left side into the middle of the pitch, drawing four defenders to him and then played the ball out wide to Kavi Krishnan, he drove a low cross that Rafa Romo was able to just get on the end of for a goal that seemed to be coming.
The Bells best early chance came off the foot of Navarro who fired a shot on the floor across goal, which nearly snuck inside the far post. Beyond that chance, it felt like Bellarmine controlled the tempo of the first half and had a majority of the ball, but it was the Saints that had the two best chances later in the half.
Brambila was in the area and tried to flick a ball past Thiele, but the senior UC Santa Barbara commit was able to make himself big and deflect the shot. His biggest save came off a corner just seconds before half when Sal Brunetto smashed a header and Thiele made a great reactionary stop with his hands, parrying the shot over the bar.
Just minutes into the second half, Bellarmine had a great chance as Blattman took a free kick from about 30 yards out and Tanish Rao found his head on the other end of it, but the ball glanced off the bar and went over.
The Saints nearly took the lead in the 48th minute as Brunetto had a free header, but it looped over the bar. It was three minutes after that the Bells finally broke through.
Kasdan Blattman, Bellarmine, Senior, Midfielder
Blattman was his typical self in the middle of the pitch, controlling play and dictating tempo. He really came alive in the second half today and was a force to be reckoned with.
Andres Brambila, St. Augustine, Senior, Forward
Brambila was a handful to deal with, scoring the equalizing goal in the 80th minute and almost scoring in the first half. He makes aggressive runs, knows how to find open pockets of space and shows a great finishing ability.
Sal Brunetto, St. Augustine, Senior, Defender
Brunetto was strong in dealing with a Bellarmine attack, but also very good in pushing forward as he was a threat on set pieces. He had two headers that almost resulted in goals.
Oswaldo Navarro Oswaldo Navarro F CA , Bellarmine, Sophomore, Forward
Navarro made his first ever varsity start after being pulled up from the JV for this Showcase, and made an impact. He created the first goal by drawing the defense to him, and he caused trouble for defenders all night long.
Nic Thiele, Bellarmine, Senior, Keeper
Thiele’s full range of skills were on display. He made great saves, showing great reactions. He cut off angles, he read crosses and he was bold and strong in the air. Thiele kept Bellarmine in the game as the Saints had intense flurries of attacks.
Iain Wagner Iain Wagner F St. Augustine | 2024 CA , St. Augustine, Junior, Attacking Midfielder
Wagner was a creative player for the Saints against Bellarmine, making things happen in space and beating defenders consistently with the dribble. He was able to take on multiple defenders and open opportunities for his teammates.