Boys soccer: Marina beats No. 9 Esperanza in OT, 3-1

January 7th, 2009, 6:48 pm · 3 Comments · posted by Chris Tobolski, OCVarsity.com

What happened: The Vikings scored twice, once in each extra 10-minute period, and defeated No. 8 Esperanza, 3-1, in Sunset League play Wednesday at Marina High School.

Esperanza led, 1-0 at halftime.

Records: Marina (10-5-1, 1-0); No. 8 Esperanza (8-4-1, 0-1)

How it looked: Esperanza had a 1-0 at the halftime, but it was erased shortly into the second half.

Both teams missed chances to win in regulation. Esperanza started strong, but their attacks dipped off slightly after scoring. However, the Aztecs missed two close headers that skimmed the crossbar and went out of bounds in the second half.

“We just didn’t finish,” Aztecs coach Kino Oaxaca said of the chances.

Who scored: Auston Smyth gave Esperanza a 1-0 lead on a header about 10 minutes in.

Marina’s Trevor Hatchard scored the first of two after break when he corralled a free ball in front of net and knocked it in to tie it at 1-1.

In the overtime session, Hatchard scored on a similar play, gathering a loose ball in front of net and kicking it in for the 2-1 lead.

In the second overtime period, Andrew Sullivan line drive gave the Vikings a 3-1 cushion.

Up next: Marina at Fountain Valley, 3pm, Fri; Edison at Esperanza, 4:45pm, Fri

High five to …: Marina goalie Jake Zylstra. His ankle has been bothering him and he was a game-time decision.

“I tested my ankle out and it felt good,” he said of the decision to play.

Zylstra was vocal with his defense Wednesday, getting them positioned properly, and he made several key saves.