FULLERTON - At one point this month, Valencia didn't seem like they could score a goal even if you put an empty net in front of them. That's how much the Tigers were struggling to find any kind of rhthym in the final third. Now, though, not even two of the best defensive teams in the county can slow them down.

Backed by two goals from Francisco Servin, Valencia cruised to a 3-0 triumph against Fullerton in the championship match of the Sunny Hills Summer League. That's the most goals that Fullerton has allowed this summer. Earlier in the pool play portion of the tournament, the Indians recorded eight consecutive shutouts. To get to the championship match, the Tigers defeated Servite, 3-1, on Monday. Serving knocked in a goal in that game, too. In their last three games, the Tigers have scored 10 goals.

"They turned it up a notch and played at a level that you have to play at to win championships. We just don't have the depth that they do," Fullerton coach George Shumaker said. "We said all along our objective for the summer was to learn as players and as a team. And we have seen the level ... we are good, but you need to play on that level to win the championship. They were all good goals that they scored."

In the final minute of the first half, Servin sprinted from midfield toward the box, dribbling past a couple of Fullerton defenders before he passed the ball to Jesus Hernandez. Hernandez redirected the pass into the box where Servin was waiting to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

He scored in second half, not long before Rafa Gutierrez came off the bench and set the final margin with his pretty left-footed goal.

"One of the things that we did is we told the guys to relax and take it easy because when we think about it too much they (the goals) don't seem to

come. Our bulidup has been really good," Valencia coach Barry Gardner said. "And today we were able to make the dynamic runs or put the bal lin the right spot. "

Jose Gutierrez was selected the tournament MVP because Gardner said he has "held us down possession-wise and he has become a captain in the middle for us."

To get there, the defending CIF Division II champion Tigers beat Servite, 3-1, in the semifinals.

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