The varsity boys soccer team fell to the Mountain View High School (MVHS) Spartans 0-1 today, January 11. The Eagles had a strong defensive game, but could not put the ball into the net before the final whistle.

“We had a bunch of chances, especially near the end [when] we had two good chances to score but we just couldn’t put them away,” senior Harry Rojas said.

Both rivals came out with a great amount intensity and energy against each other. The activity in the middle of the field early on made it hard for either team to break away to make some room and create scoring opportunities.

The Spartans had more threatening opportunities, with two close shots from their key offensive players, Gustavo Arredondo and Minh Wilson, within the first 25 minutes. Although the Eagles kept a strong defensive composure and good ball possession, they failed to create good scoring opportunities.

As the game tempo changed and both teams slowed down, the Spartans found their way toward the goal. With his corner kick from the right side, MVHS defender Josue Aguilar missed the goal as two Eagle defenders blocked the goal line. The ball landed on the feet of MVHS striker Minh Wilson, who converted from close range to give the Spartans a one goal lead closing the first half.

The Eagles controlled the game in the second half and kept their strong momentum throughout the rest of the game. Supported by the large crowd in the bleachers, their biggest scoring opportunities came within the last few minutes of the game.

With two back-to-back corner kicks, the Eagles forced good blocks from Spartan defenders. Harry Rojas almost scored for the Eagles in the final minute of the game with a strong kick towards the right side of the goal, but it was again blocked by defenders.

“We outplayed them the whole game,” Rojas said, “We made one mistake and they scored so they got away with the win this time.”

After the disappointing loss to their rivals, the Eagles will face off against Gunn back on the road this Friday, January 13. The team’s main goal is to improve its offensive game.

“I think we just need to work on our finishing and make sure we put away our chances,” senior Omri Fried said.