Local soccer roundup: PHS boys beat Granite

One more to go for the showdown.

The Porterville High boys soccer team took care of business with a 6-1 win over Granite Hills on Monday at Rankin Stadium to move one step closer to a possible showdown with Monache for the East Yosemite League title.

PHS improved to 11-3 in the EYL (33 points, three points for a win, one for a tie) and trails Monache (11-2-1, 34 points) by one point in the standings. But Porterville has a tough game against Delano at home on Wednesday while Monache plays Robert F. Kennedy in a game it figures to win also on Wednesday, so the Panthers’ game against Delano looks to be a must win if it wants to play Monache for the EYL title on Friday.

“I expect a very tough, physical game against those guys,” said Porterville coach Angel Vallin about Delano. “If we can beat them... then big showdown Friday. But let’s get through Wednesday first before we start thing about that.”

And Vallin wanted to get through Monday against a Granite team that has been dangerous in the EYL. “This was the game that was scaring me quite a bit,” Vallin said.

Granite had its chances in the first half, but it was PHS that led 2-0 at halftime. Granite Hills coach Luis Espino said he was pleased with how his team competed in the first half, but felt it could have competed better in the second half.

“We had many (opportunities) and we couldn’t score,” said Espino about the first half. “Our effort in the first half was real good.”

Giovanni Arceo had a goal and two assists and Cesar Castelo, Francisco Torres, Orlando Mendez and Ariel Rosso all scored as PHS built a 5-0 lead.

Granite got on the board after PHS goalie Lanron Asencio deflected a shot by Granite’s Rigoberto Gonzalez out of bounds. Asencio punched the ensuing corner kick by Granite’s Efren Tapia, but Jose Gonzalez scored on the rebound.

Porterville finished the scoring when Castelo crossed a pass to Joel Mora, whose shot was stopped by Granite goalie Ulises Mijes. But Mora scored on the rebound.

PHS GIRLS 2, GRANITE 0

Two goals in the first 15 minutes by freshman Elicia Alvarez was enough for Porterville (9-5 in the EYL). After a brief drought, Alvarez, Porterville’s leading scorer, was able to return to the scoring column. “She’s basically getting back on track,” Porterville coach Carlos Bravo said.

But Bravo said his team still needs to execute better offensively. “We’re still missing too many shots,” he said. “We’ve got to work on finishing all of our opportunities.”

Bravo did praise the play of Tori Cox, who marked Granite’s leading scorer, Mercedes Steidley. “Tori Cox played extremely well,” Bravo said.

“We’re kind of a slow starting team,” Granite Hills coach Gabe Rodriguez said. “Giving up early goals in the first half makes it tough. But I was pleased with the second half effort.”

Goalie Rochelle Lupio posted the shutout for PHS.

One more to go for the showdown.

The Porterville High boys soccer team took care of business with a 6-1 win over Granite Hills on Monday at Rankin Stadium to move one step closer to a possible showdown with Monache for the East Yosemite League title.

PHS improved to 11-3 in the EYL (33 points, three points for a win, one for a tie) and trails Monache (11-2-1, 34 points) by one point in the standings. But Porterville has a tough game against Delano at home on Wednesday while Monache plays Robert F. Kennedy in a game it figures to win also on Wednesday, so the Panthers’ game against Delano looks to be a must win if it wants to play Monache for the EYL title on Friday.

“I expect a very tough, physical game against those guys,” said Porterville coach Angel Vallin about Delano. “If we can beat them... then big showdown Friday. But let’s get through Wednesday first before we start thing about that.”

And Vallin wanted to get through Monday against a Granite team that has been dangerous in the EYL. “This was the game that was scaring me quite a bit,” Vallin said.

Granite had its chances in the first half, but it was PHS that led 2-0 at halftime. Granite Hills coach Luis Espino said he was pleased with how his team competed in the first half, but felt it could have competed better in the second half.

“We had many (opportunities) and we couldn’t score,” said Espino about the first half. “Our effort in the first half was real good.”

Giovanni Arceo had a goal and two assists and Cesar Castelo, Francisco Torres, Orlando Mendez and Ariel Rosso all scored as PHS built a 5-0 lead.

Granite got on the board after PHS goalie Lanron Asencio deflected a shot by Granite’s Rigoberto Gonzalez out of bounds. Asencio punched the ensuing corner kick by Granite’s Efren Tapia, but Jose Gonzalez scored on the rebound.

Porterville finished the scoring when Castelo crossed a pass to Joel Mora, whose shot was stopped by Granite goalie Ulises Mijes. But Mora scored on the rebound.

PHS GIRLS 2, GRANITE 0

Two goals in the first 15 minutes by freshman Elicia Alvarez was enough for Porterville (9-5 in the EYL). After a brief drought, Alvarez, Porterville’s leading scorer, was able to return to the scoring column. “She’s basically getting back on track,” Porterville coach Carlos Bravo said.

But Bravo said his team still needs to execute better offensively. “We’re still missing too many shots,” he said. “We’ve got to work on finishing all of our opportunities.”

Bravo did praise the play of Tori Cox, who marked Granite’s leading scorer, Mercedes Steidley. “Tori Cox played extremely well,” Bravo said.

“We’re kind of a slow starting team,” Granite Hills coach Gabe Rodriguez said. “Giving up early goals in the first half makes it tough. But I was pleased with the second half effort.”

Goalie Rochelle Lupio posted the shutout for PHS.