From STAFF REPORTS La Salle knew their first real test of the season was Wednesday’s showdown with first-place Mary Star. Heading into the Camino Real League showdown, the Stars were 11-1 overall and 3-0 in league play. They had also outscored their league opponents, 19-1, before Wednesday’s trip to Pasadena. Mary Star took a 1-0 […]
From STAFF REPORTS
La Salle knew their first real test of the season was Wednesday’s showdown with first-place Mary Star.
Heading into the Camino Real League showdown, the Stars were 11-1 overall and 3-0 in league play.
They had also outscored their league opponents, 19-1, before Wednesday’s trip to Pasadena.
Mary Star took a 1-0 lead within the first 10 minutes of the game and held the advantage for another 50 minutes or so.
But La Salle captain Nick Zuniga took a free kick from Cristian Reyes and headed the ball in at the 60-minute mark to tie the game at 1-1.
Reyes put the game away with a successful penalty-kick about 73 minutes in, as the Lancers defeated the Stars, 2-1.
CJ Rettig had 6 saves for La Salle, as the junior played another solid game in goal for the Lancers.
La Salle will host St. Paul on Friday at 5:30.
Quotable:
La Salle senior captain Nick Zuniga: “It had been so long since we had scored but I had confidence we would. Once we tied the game, I just wanted to get the ball back and score again. I was 100 percent certain that Cristian would score (on the penalty kick) because he’s a solid penalty taker. Once Cristian scored, our focus was defense and we locked it down and had our midfielder’s dropped back to have extra support.CJ had a great game. He’s one of the reasons we’re winning and winning by shutouts.”
La Salle goalie CJ Rettig: “We started off the game very positively, but hey scored right away and I moved on (psychologically) and finished the half. We knew we had to come out with a bang in the second half and attack. When Nick scored, I felt much better knowing that we’re tied. After Cristian scored on the PK, we were very relieved, but we still had work to do. They kept attacking, and the game wasn’t over. Our defense was outstanding tonight. Caleb De Mesa stepped up for Vinnie Zuniga, who was ill, and shut down the right side and helped me out a lot. I was most proud that we never give up, even if we’re down at the half.”
Box Score:
MS: 1-0-(1)
LS: 0-2-(2)
Records:
La Salle (9-5-1, 4-0); Mary Star (11-2, 3-1)
Camino Real League Standings:
La Salle (9-5-1 overall, 4-0 in league)
Mary Star (11-2, 3-1)
St. Paul (1-8-2, 1-1-1)
St. Monica (2-3, 1-2)
Cantwell-Sacred Heart (0-8-1, 0-2-1)
Bosco Tech (0-7, 0-3)
