Shootout Precision Lifts Beaumont in Boys Soccer Playoffs

Beaumont midfielder Jake Jones did all he could to keep his composure.

Jones was next in line during Friday’s sudden-death shootout against visiting Thermal Desert Mirage. The season was on the line and a goal by Jones would propel the Cougars into the second round of the Southern Section Div. 6 boys soccer playoffs.

“A million things were going through my head,” Jones said. “I wanted to place it in the right spot; I didn’t want to miss. I wanted the team to celebrate.”

Jones came through in the clutch, firing the game winning shot to the far left corner of the box.

The 8-7 sudden-death win lands Beaumont in Wednesday’s second round.

“I tried not to look at him (goalie),” Jones said. “If I look, I know I would freeze. I didn’t want that.”

Jones’ goal ended an evenly match contest between a pair of league runner-ups. There weren’t many scoring opportunities, but each did have chances to put it away in regulation.

Jones was in the middle of traffic early in the second half when he sent a shot that was deflected and bounced out of play. Gabe Partida took a shot late in regulation that bounced off the right cross bar. And Richard Trussell chased down a loose ball in the second overtime but his shot went wide right.

“I think we were a little stronger,” Steele said. “I think we had more shots on frame than they did. But they are a good team. It’s the playoffs and it will be even matches here on out.”

The game was scoreless at the end of regulation and again through two periods of overtime.

Then, in sudden-death, Beaumont produced goals by Miguel Carillo, Moises Rodriguez, Sam Gutierrez, Christian Valenzuela, Alejandro Gonzalez, Trussell and Nayan Patel.

Perhaps the happiest Cougar after the game was Alex Gonzalez. His shootout opportunity sailed over the goal, leaning the game in Desert Mirage’s favor. There, however, Desert Mirage failed on what could have been its game winning goal.

Jones followed up with the game winner.

“It’s an unfortunate way to lose,” Steele said. “I thought we were the better side but it could have gone either way. That happens in the playoffs.”

Steele did give some credit to Beaumont goalie Ruben Duran.

“I think our keeper came up big,” Steele said. “Just moving and making them have to place the ball. Eventually we were going to get the save or they would go wide and they went wide.”