First half blitz leads Stallions

The Madera South Stallions boys soccer team picked up a conference win with a 4-0 victory over the Sanger Apaches with three first half goals.

“I think the boys did excellent,” head coach Fernando Delgadillo said. “Tough loss last week, but I think they responded how champions do and showed everybody in the league that we still have something left in the tank to compete for a title.”

The Stallions came out with intent and nearly scored in the first minute as a whipped-in cross was picked out of the air by the Apache goalkeeper. Kevin Osuna darted down the right wing to create the chance, however it was spoiled.

The Stallions continued their aggressive start with a number of scoring chances. A creative combination play between the Stallions’ forwards nearly led to another chance in the third minute. The team couldn’t quite pick out the right pass and the attack fizzled out in the opponent’s final third.

The team left another chance begging in the 10th minute when Josue Ramirez delivered an accurate cross from the left wing, but it was deflected by an opposing defender and out.

The floodgates opened for the Stallions when they scored three goals in a span of five minutes. In the 21st minute, Joseph Cuevas set up Bryant Chavez for Madera’s opening goal. Bryant received the pass in the penalty area and quickly dispatched the ball before the Apaches could react.

The scoring would continue in the 24th minute when Osuna doubled the lead with an accurate strike past the opposing goalkeeper. Moments later Osuna pounced on a miscue by the Apache goalkeeper to give the Stallions a 3-0 lead. Osuna tip toed around the goalkeeper to give his team a commanding lead over the visitors.

The Stallions scored again in the second half to effectively end the game. Cuevas picked his head up from the right wing and fired from 20 yards out to beat the goalkeeper to the bottom right corner. The Stallions controlled the rest of the game after their fourth goal.

The coach pointed to hard work and mistake-free play for the division win.

“When your team makes minimal mistakes and capitalizes the way we did today then it’s just what comes with it,” Delgadillo said. “I didn’t expect four goals, three in the first half but like I said it’s execution, it’s effort, it’s everything they gave today. A lot of heart, so I’m proud of them.”

After a game full excellent performances, one stood out. Osuna scored two goals while also earning high praise from his coach.

“His performance was almost flawless,” Delgadillo said. “I had to give him a chance to get his hat trick so I had to plug him in to the mix even though he didn’t need to go in. I felt like his effort and determination deserved that so that’s why he went back in.”