Boys soccer: Salgado's hat trick powers Santa Paula into sectional quarterfinals

Manny Elizarraraz has been associated with Santa Paula High boys soccer team for decades.

But the Cardinals head coach can’t remember the last time Santa Paula saw a playoff performance like Isaac Salgado produced Saturday.

The sophomore striker scored a hat trick to fire Santa Paula to a 3-0 win over host Oro Grande-Riverside Prep in the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 second round.

“We were just reminiscing,” Elizarraraz said. “I don’t think anyone in the high school’s history has done that.”

Salgado, who took over as a starter early in the season, scored two goals set up by Christian Salcedo and added a third by capitalizing on a defensive mistake as Santa Paula (14-5-3) advanced to its second quarterfinal in four years.

“Collectively, my boys played really well,” Elizarraraz said. “The defense came up big.”

Santa Paula took the lead in the seventh minute, when Salcedo put a ball through for Salgado to shield from a defender and finish inside the 18-yard box.

“That’s the best,” said Elizarraraz. “When you go and score early, that’s a big bonus. It takes a lot of pressure off of you.”

Lorenzo Luna’s long cross set up the second goal in the 52nd minute. Salcedo again put Salgado in to finish. Salgado added the third 10 minutes later.

Santa Paula will host Lake Forest-El Toro in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

DIVISION 2

Pacifica 2, Santa Ana Valley 1: Senior Andy Martinez scored two goals four minutes apart and Michael Sauceda had an assist early in the second half as the host Tritons advanced to their second straight sectional quarterfinal.

“It’s seeming like a tradition, making runs in the playoffs,” Pacifica coach Andrew Navarro said. “But we haven’t gotten that championship yet, so the boys aren’t satisfied.”

After a scoreless first half, Martinez opened the scoring in the 48th minute from the penalty spot, then added another on a counterattack, running onto Sauceda’s ball over the top, beating a defender and cutting in on his left foot to finish.

Pacifica will play for a third semifinal berth in five years on Wednesday, when it hosts Agoura and star attacker Justin Sosa.

“We’re used to playing teams that have that a superstar,” Navarro said. “But every game is different.”

Agoura 2, San Bernardino Valley-Cajon 1: Justin Sosa opened the scoring in the first half and set up Diego Vega’s winner in second-half stoppage time with a pair of solo runs as the Chargers knocked off the division’s top seed on the road in San Bernardino.

“Our left back (Sam Gunderson) made a pretty insane tackle,” Sosa said of the match-winning goal. “I get the ball right in midfield with not much going on around me. I figured I had to take on a few players.

“I beat the third guy as I get into the box. Right as I’m about to shoot, my foot gets kicked out from under me. … I’ll take the assist.”

Vega popped in the loose ball to send the Chargers (10-5-3) to the sectional quarterfinals for the second straight season. Agoura will visit Pacifica on Wednesday.

“I know the style of soccer very well,” Agoura coach Jaime Alvarado, who played at Oxnard College, of Pacifica. “I’ll prep the guys as best I can. I’m really looking forward to the game, looking forward to the atmosphere. The crowd is going to be into the game.”

DIVISION 4

Oxnard 4, Palmdale Aerospace Academy 1: Abraham Servin, Miguel Cabrera, Gerardo Miranda and Pabel Ayala scored goals and Ruben Martinez and Christian Carbajal had assists as the Yellowjackets earned their first quarterfinal berth in five years with an emphatic road win.

“The field was tiny, but we still actually played our game,” Oxnard coach Chris Conte said. “We stuck to our game and it worked.”

Servin and Cabrera scored in the first 10 minutes as Oxnard (18-2-8) grabbed control from the outset.

“That made a big impact,” Conte said. “They were playing from behind and they weren’t used to that.”

Oxnard led 2-0 at the half. After the Palmdale school scored early, the Yellowjackets restored their two-goal lead with Miranda’s goal.

Oxnard will host Lake Forest-El Toro in Wednesday’s quarterfinals at 5 p.m.

DIVISION 7

Nordhoff 6, Whittier Christian 0: Max Pinkernell, Adrian Vega, Hector Ortiz, Juan Lopez, and Pablo Rodriguez scored goals as the Rangers emphatically returned to the sectional quarterfinals for the first time since 2014.

After going .500 in Citrus Coast League play, the Rangers have now outscored their three playoff opponents 19-2.

“The kids are just completely focused and motivated,” head coach Matt Inman said. “They want to win a championship like the (2014) team they keep hearing about. We’re so proud of these guys. Seniors are running the show.”

Inman said senior-laded Nordhoff’s four-year commitment to its senior class is paying dividends.

“We know the competition in the Citrus Coast is super tough,” Inman said. “Knowing we’re outgunned in enrollment, we got a group of freshmen with recognizable talent (in 2020). … We’ve played them and they’ve gotten exposure for four years now.”

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Boys soccer: Salgado hat trick powers Santa Paula into quarterfinals