By Alex Leichenger
A 2-1 loss at Crespi on Friday dropped the boysâ soccer team to 7-4 in league and 16-6-3 overall with their final game of the regular season tonight against Chaminade.
The Wolverines went up 1-0 in Fridayâs game against Crespi, but missed a chance to extend to their lead.
“We were given a one-on-one with the keeper where we missed an opportunity that basically changed the whole [outcome] of the game,” sweeper A.J. Hong â10 said.Â
“It was the same thing with the Loyola game [Jan. 29 at Loyola]. We were up 1-0, and instead of just keeping strong, we kind of just thought we had the game, and players started relaxing and not really running as much and it gave Loyola a chance to score,” Hong said. Loyola would go on to win the game 2-1.
“We didnât capitalize early in the game at key moments in the game in which we had the momentum,” said Head Coach Freddy Arroyo, referring to the losses to Loyola and Crespi.
The Wolverines will qualify for CIF playoffs regardless of whether they beat Chaminade, but Arroyo said it is crucial they win to secure second place in league.
Prior to opening league play, the team won the Valley Classic tournament at Ted Slavin Field by upsetting El Camino Real, the number one team in the country in the ESPN Fab 50 rankings at the time.
Forward/midfielder Victor Kroh â10 leads the Mission League with 30 points (11 goals and eight assists).
“We just need to work on our defense,” Hong said. “Thatâs going to be a big factor for us going on into CIF. We need to stop making the same mistakes over and over againâstaying with our man and then being able to clear the ball out of the back instead of playing with it.”
“I told my team that once the playoffs start everyone starts with a 0-0 record,” Arroyo said. “I think we have the talent and experience to make a run. Division I is tough, but Iâm thinking for sure our first priority is to get out of the first round and then weâve just got to take it one game at a time.”
Start times for playoffs have not been set.
