Prep Soccer: Victor Valley falls just short in the CIF-SS Div. 6 title game
The CIF-Southern Section Division 6 boys soccer championship game came down to the wire Monday night.
And after just over 80 minutes of action, Victor Valley’s quest for the title came to an end with a 1-0 loss to San Gorgonio.
Both teams had several opportunities to score, but stellar defense was the name of the game in Monday’s championship match, which was initially scheduled for Saturday but postponed due to the road conditions in the Cajon Pass.
For Victor Valley, the defense was nearly perfect. Except for a perfectly placed shot from Jamil Gutierrez with about 10 minutes left in the first half that sailed right past the outstretched hands of Victor Valley goalkeeper Emmanuel Lopez.
Gutierrez received Ezequiel Soto’s pass from midfield, made a move on his defender and fired the shot off to the left side of the net, just past Lopez.
Both teams continued to push the pace and Lopez came up big in key moments for the Jackrabbits, holding San Gorgonio scoreless the rest of the way.
Victor Valley had one last opportunity as the game came to an end with one more throw in near midfield.
A couple passes later, Bryan Solis heaved a long-shot that was on frame, and right into the hands of San Gorgonio goalkeeper Matthew Guzman. With the ball in hand, the final whistle blew and Guzman kicked the ball away in celebration.
Despite losing to San Gorgonio, Victor Valley’s season isn’t over. The Jackrabbits are back home Tuesday afternoon for the first round of the CIF State Southern California Regional Div. 5 playoffs.
Victor Valley hosts Roybal, which captured the CIF LA City Section Div. 5 playoffs with a 1-0 victory over Contreras.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Prep Soccer: Victor Valley falls just short in the CIF-SS Div. 6 title game
