The Cambridge boys varsity soccer team defeated Christian Learning 4-3 in a high-scoring, thrill-packed game played on the International field Thursday afternoon.
Cambridge took the lead 1-0 early in the first half on a sudden breakaway goal scored by MateoAsturizaga. The goal was something of shocker in that it came right after a period of play in which Christian Learning put heavy pressure on the Cambridge defense.
The Knights then went ahead 2-0 on a clever play in which a free kick was aimed away from the goal, and was essentially a pass to Matias Martinez who rifled a long shot that seemed to be still rising as it hit the net.
The Eagles then retaliated with a goal by Conroy Janzen who kicked home a corner kick. Luis Doi then knotted the score with a precisely calibrated free kick that bounced down into the goal off the crossbar.
Caleb Ropp then put the Eagles in the lead 3-2 as he knocked in a header off a corner kick.
Cambridge got the score even again seconds before the half when Marlon Castillo was fouled in the penalty area and knocked home his penalty shot opportunity. (He actually did it twice when his first kick was called back because a Cambridge player had moved upfield too soon.)
The scoring tempo slowed in the second half, though both sides had their chances. Eagle Richard Enns banged a shot off the crossbar and Knight Tadeo Carmona fired a penalty shot high.
The game-winner was scored for Cambridge by Asturizaga in a breakaway play that was virtually a duplicate of the first goal of the game.
FLYING GRIFFIN, CROUCHING JAGUAR -- The Jaguars and Griffins went through all the motions -- but nobody put the ball in the net. Jonatan Muñoz, International
Jaguars, Griffins in scoreless draw
The Cooperative and International boys varsity soccer teams fought a pitched battle on the Jaguars field in which defenses prevailed, leaving the score 0-0 at the end of the game.
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WINNING THE SHOOTOUT -- Griffin Daniel Roempler (16) puts a hot just beyond the Jaguar goalie's reach for his team's fifth, and winning, penalty shot in the shootout. Jonatan Muñoz, International
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International prevailed 5-4 in the post-game penalty shootout to determine which team collected an extra point in the standings. Winning the shootout was unusually gratifying for the Griffins who had lost several shootouts after ties over the last two seasons.
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