Forfeit win ends boys soccer losing streak

When the CIF turned a Ramona High School boys soccer loss into a forfeit win, the Bulldogs’ losing streak went from four games to three. The Bulldogs then tied at Mission Vista on Friday.

Ramona’s goal in the 1-1 draw at Mission Vista was scored by Antonio Valdes, who had seen limited play during the 2015-16 season due to hamstring injuries.

“It was great to get him back,” said coach Michael Jordan. “It just adds a new dimension to our team.”

The Bulldogs, who will conclude five consecutive road games Friday at Valley Center and return home Feb. 17 for a match against Fallbrook, maintained a winning record for the season after the Feb. 3 field loss at Orange Glen was changed to a forfeit win. The tie against Mission Vista gave Ramona an 8-7-3 overall record along with a 2-3-1 league figure.

Valley Center traveled to Ramona for a Jan. 27 game and returned with a 4-3 victory.

“We just kind of gave the game away,” Jordan said.

The Jaguars had a 4-2 halftime lead.

“I can’t remember the last time we conceded four goals in the first half,” Jordan said.

Valley Center took a 1-0 lead, Branden Chavez scored the equalizer for Ramona, the Jaguars scored once again, and a Danny Edwards goal created a 2-2 tie.

“Then we gave up two silly goals,” Jordan said.

Eddy Saucedo’s shot produced the game’s only second-half goal.

“We were being successful getting opportunities and we just needed to shore up our mistakes,” Jordan said.

Jordan began the Jan. 29 game at Fallbrook with a formation utilizing four defenders, five midfielders, and Saucedo as the only forward.

“Eddy was on top by himself and just wasn’t getting any help at all,” Jordan said.

Senior Angel Zepeda was positioned as a second forward with the Bulldogs utilizing four midfielders. Shortly after that transition, Chavez set a ball in the middle and Zepeda was able to place the ball into the opposing net to give Ramona a 1-0 lead. That was the halftime score, but the final score was 2-1 in Fallbrook’s favor.

“Gave up two silly mistakes in the second half,” Jordan said.

The goal at Fallbrook would turn out to be Zepeda’s final high school highlight. On the field Orange Glen outscored Ramona three goals to zero.

“We had some injuries,” Jordan said.

After first-string goalkeeper Tony Solis was kicked in the foot, Zepeda took over the Ramona net. Zepeda’s high school career ended after he was kicked in the face. He was taken to the hospital where a computerized axial tomography scan indicated that he had no swelling or bleeding, but the diagnosis of a severe concussion will sideline Zepeda for the rest of the season.

“He’s pretty disappointed about that,” Jordan said.

Cesar Ramos was then moved from the field to become Ramona’s third goalkeeper of the game.

Orange Glen’s previous game was a Feb. 1 contest against Calexico. Two red cards were issued for violent conduct. A player who receives a red card cannot play in the next game, but one of the Orange Glen players was on the field against Ramona. On Feb. 4 the CIF declared a forfeit due to the Patriots’ use of the ineligible player.

Solis returned to action against Mission Vista. Valdes’ goal gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

“Eddy Saucedo made a great cross in the middle and Antonio came in and took the ball,” Jordan said.

Mission Vista scored the equalizer later in the first half. Neither team added to the score during the second half.

“We had a lot of opportunities in that game,” Jordan said.

Senior Night festivities will be held before the start of the Feb. 17 home match.