Soccer fans, youth players see Bulldog boys beat Knights
By Joe Naiman
Due to weather concerns, the Ramona High School boys soccer team moved Ramona Soccer League Night from Dec. 13 to Dec. 18, which was also Fan Night. The local soccer fans and youth players saw the Bulldogs take a 3-1 victory over San Marcos on the commemoration night.
“It was a nice big crowd,” said boys soccer coach Michael Jordan.
The Ramona Youth Soccer League’s Division 6 all-star boys and girls escorted the two high school teams to the field. While the Bulldogs and Knights were taking their halftime break, two all-star teams played a short game in front of the fans. The Fan Night portion included the giveaway of posters, shirts, and other items.
The high school game’s first goal was scored by Ramona’s Alex Medina, whose shot deflected off a San Marcos defender before going into the net for Medina’s ninth goal of the season. Medina had previously dribbled the ball downfield to position himself for the shot.
“Just a hustle play,” Jordan said.
The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead after Morgan Schmidt dribbled the ball downfield before placing a pass in front of Abraham Cabrera.
“Abraham made a beautiful shot and scored his first varsity goal,” Jordan said.
Cabrera had five assists for the season prior to scoring his first goal.
“He just would rather pass the ball, so it was nice for him to get his first varsity goal,” said Jordan.
The Knights scored their only goal late in the first half. Ramona regained a two-goal lead with about 15 minutes left in the game when a San Marcos player adjusted the ball with his feet for a direct kick. Because he had put the ball in play, it was a live ball and Ramona’s Alex Nastre took advantage of that status.
“Alex just went up and took the ball away,” Jordan said.
Nastre then dribbled the ball before shooting it into the net past the Knights’ goalkeeper.
“Alex made a great play,” Jordan said. “He made an incredibly heads-up play.”
The win gave Ramona a season record of eight wins, one loss, and one tie.
“We’re eight, one, and one and right where we want to be,” said Jordan.