Prep Soccer: Victor Valley bounces back from heartbreaking loss, beats Roybal in CIF SoCal Regional opener
Less than 24 hours after losing in the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 title game, the Victor Valley boys soccer team got right back to it.
The Jackrabbits pulled a 2-0 victory over Roybal Tuesday afternoon in the first round of the CIF State Southern California Regional Div. 5 playoffs.
All Victor Valley head coach Julio Hernadnez asked of his squad was to continue believing in each other.
The formula got the team to the CIF-SS title game, which ended with a 1-0 loss to top-seeded San Gorgonio.
“Last night was a tough game. It wasn’t disappointing. It was just tough,” Hernandez said. “We were looking to overcome all those emotions, and they did. These kids are mentally tough and are just looking for revenge. We want that rematch with San G.”
Victor Valley, the No. 2 seed in the bracket, wasted no time getting on the board.
Josiah Paez took the ball up toward the corner of the field and banged the ball in for a goal less than a minute into the game.
Victor Valley doubled the lead about 28 minutes later.
They built up the action on the left side of the field got the ball into the goal box, and Ismael Estrada tapped it in for a 2-0 lead.
Roybal’s best chance to score as the first half ended. A Roybal player fired off a laser of a shot, but Victor Valley goalkeeper Emmanuel Lopez made a diving stop to preserve the two-goal lead.
“This program has never won a regional playoff game, and we are very proud of doing that. But all it is a step closer to a state championship. We looked at this as just another game. Our next game will be also. We just want that rematch.”
Victor Valley will return home Thursday for the semifinals against Oxford Academy, which beat Lompoc 3-1.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Prep Soccer: Victor Valley bounces back from heartbreaking loss, beats Roybal
