Local soccer roundup: Big wins for PHS, Granite Hills boys

The Porterville High boys soccer team survived two penalty kicks to gain an upper hand in the race for sceond and to stay close to first place Monache in the East Yosemite League, beating Delano 3-2 on Tuesday.

PHS (5-2 in the EYL) led 2-1 when it was called for a foul in the goal box at the end of regulation.

Landron Ascencio was able to block the penalty kick, but it was ruled that he moved forward before making the block and he was given a yellow card. Midfielder Chris Barraza had to replace Ascencio in goal and Delano converted the retry to force two 10-minute overtime periods.

Ascencio was able to return. Cesar Castelo scored his second goal to give PHS a 3-2 lead in the first overtime. Delano was awarded another penalty kick in the second overtime, but this time Delano missed wide on the penalty kick and PHS held on.

Giovanni Arceo, Raul Suarez, Eric Lucio and Orlando Mendez played well defensively while Cesar Hernandez, who scored Porterville’s other goal, Barraza and Andrew Connelley played well at midfield for PHS.

GRANITE HILLS 1, TULARE WESTERN 0

Granite (2-6 in the EYL) played the role of spoiler, knocking off Western, which has been battling Delano, Mission Oak and Porterville for second in the EYL behind Monache. Jorge Nunez scored to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 halftime lead and this time, Granite was able to hang on against one of the EYL’s top teams. Granite goalie Ulises Mijes posted the shutout.

“We defended very well,” Granite Hills coach Luis Espino said. “A great effort by all of my team. Everybody just played a solid game. I’m proud of my team.”

Granite’s junior varsity boys also overcame a 2-0 deficit to tie Western 2-2.

MONACHE GIRLS 9, KENNEDY 0

Elisabeth Gomez scored four goals, Danica Taylor scored twice and Naomi Hernandez, Patricia Villarreal and Brianna Guzman all scored once for Monache (4-3 in the EYL), which tuned up for its game with Porterville by rolling past Robert F. Kennedy. Monache goalie Jordan Canale posted the shutout. Monache will face PHS at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Rankin Stadium.

“We should be ready for that game,” said Monache coach Peter Schalembier about PHS. “It’s a different caliber game.” About his team, Schalembier said, “Overall, they’re playing very well.”

PORTERVILLE GIRLS 9, DELANO 1

PHS warmed up for its game with Monache by dominating Delano. Elicia Alvarez and Alicia Dabney scored multiple goals and Jessica Santizo also scored for the Panthers. The highlight of the game for PHS came when Yvette Madrigal scored on a header off a corner kick.

Porterville also dominated in winning the JV game. 

In other action, Strathmore’s varsity girls rolled to a 16-0 win over Corcoran to improve to 3-0 in the East Sequoia League.

The Porterville High boys soccer team survived two penalty kicks to gain an upper hand in the race for sceond and to stay close to first place Monache in the East Yosemite League, beating Delano 3-2 on Tuesday.

PHS (5-2 in the EYL) led 2-1 when it was called for a foul in the goal box at the end of regulation.

Lanron Acencio was able to block the penalty kick, but it was ruled that he moved forward before making the block and he was given a yellow card. Midfielder Chris Barraza had to replace Ascencio in goal and Delano converted the retry to force two 10-minute overtime periods.

Acencio was able to return. Cesar Castelo scored his second goal to give PHS a 3-2 lead in the first overtime. Delano was awarded another penalty kick in the second overtime, but this time Delano missed wide on the penalty kick and PHS held on.

Giovanni Arceo, Raul Suarez, Eric Lucio and Orlando Mendez played well defensively while Cesar Hernandez, who scored Porterville’s other goal, Barraza and Andrew Connelley played well at midfield for PHS.

GRANITE HILLS 1, TULARE WESTERN 0

Granite (2-6 in the EYL) played the role of spoiler, knocking off Western, which has been battling Delano, Mission Oak and Porterville for second in the EYL behind Monache. Jorge Nunez scored to give the Grizzlies a 1-0 halftime lead and this time, Granite was able to hang on against one of the EYL’s top teams. Granite goalie Ulises Mijes posted the shutout.

“We defended very well,” Granite Hills coach Luis Espino said. “A great effort by all of my team. Everybody just played a solid game. I’m proud of my team.”

Granite’s junior varsity boys also overcame a 2-0 deficit to tie Western 2-2.

MONACHE GIRLS 9, KENNEDY 0

Elisabeth Gomez scored four goals, Danica Taylor scored twice and Naomi Hernandez, Patricia Villarreal and Brianna Guzman all scored once for Monache (4-3 in the EYL), which tuned up for its game with Porterville by rolling past Robert F. Kennedy. Monache goalie Jordan Canale posted the shutout. Monache will face PHS at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Rankin Stadium.

“We should be ready for that game,” said Monache coach Peter Schalembier about PHS. “It’s a different caliber game.” About his team, Schalembier said, “Overall, they’re playing very well.”

PORTERVILLE GIRLS 9, DELANO 1

PHS warmed up for its game with Monache by dominating Delano. Elicia Alvarez and Alicia Dabney scored multiple goals and Jessica Santizo also scored for the Panthers. The highlight of the game for PHS came when Yvette Madrigal scored on a header off a corner kick.

Porterville also dominated in winning the JV game. 

In other action, Strathmore’s varsity girls rolled to a 16-0 win over Corcoran to improve to 3-0 in the East Sequoia League.