FULLERTON – The new guy came up big at a key moment in the and Valencia held on to beat Servite, 2-1, in a pool play game on Wednesday in the Sunny Hills boys soccer Summer League.

Missing his regular goalkeeper, Bryan Escalante, Valencia coach Barry Gardner turned to a forward Henry Marquez to step in, and his leaping save knocked a Servite shot over the crossbar in the closing minutes of the second half secured the victory.

“That was going to be a goal, too. The ball dipped down … that was definitely a game-saving stop,” Gardner said.

Valencia has had some problems holding its shape during the summer league, however, on Monday, the Tigers did an excellent job staying in position and denying the Frairs any space. The only goal Servite scored came after the Tigers were called for a handball in the box. Shane Fontaine convered the penalty kick for the Friars to even the score at, 1-1.

Valencia took the early lead when a high arcing shot by Jesse Sandoval, an All County First Team defender last season, slipped bewteen the Friars’ keeper and the crossbar. Thomas Marin set the final margin in the second half, scoring for about 35 yards out.

“We did a good job protecting the ball in the middle, holding onto it, getting possession and connecting the passes. We were able to move the ball around three or four times before before getting the ball forward on the outside,” Gardner said. “For us the possession in the middle is what allowed us to do so well. The guys are fired up … they are excited to win.”

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