Sports
Diamond Ranch Boys Soccer Scores CIF Win, 1-0
Despite wet conditions and a soaked field, the Panthers held on to shut out La Serna. Senior forward Raul Huerta scored the lone goal, sending Diamond Ranch to the second round of the CIF Division 4 playoffs.
The rain began to pour as soon as the whistle blew at Diamond Ranch.
It took both teams a few minutes to gather their footing with a wet field. But with home field advantage, Panther’s senior forward Raul Huerta took the initiative by scoring the game’s only goal with a header at the six minute mark.
This was the only score either team could manage in the rain and the only goal Diamond Ranch would need as the Panthers topped La Serna, 1-0, in a CIF Division 4 first-round matchup. Diamond Ranch advances to second-round play Wednesday against the winner of Friday's game between Artesia and Beverly Hills.
Find out what's happening in Diamond Bar-Walnutfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
It was Huerta’s 22nd goal of the season while earning 17 during Hacienda League play.
Diamond Ranch’s head coach Shaun Fernandez called Huerta a “natural leader and our go-to guy”.
Find out what's happening in Diamond Bar-Walnutfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Panther’s senior goalkeeper Jeff Stamp made a great stop at the 22nd minute, setting the defensive tone for the remainder of the half. Diamond Ranch contested every La Serna pass and goal attempt, not allowing any easy looks for the Lancers, leaving them scoreless at halftime.
There was a small break in the rain at halftime, but as soon as the second half began, so did the downpour.
Midway through the second half, Stamp injured himself sliding to stop a goal and collided with La Serna’s junior midfielder Francisco Saucedo, which earned Saucedo a yellow card. Never letting go of the ball, the crowd clapped as Stamp returned to his feet, exhibiting toughness and tenacity.
Stamp also showed great leadership by encouraging his teammates to calm down when the Lancers attacked the goal with urgency, taking numerous shots with less than 15 minutes remaining in the game.
Many of the perceived non-calls frustrated the players as well as the fans, because at the 74th minute Panthers junior midfielder Andres Gallegos saved a crucial goal attempt by La Serna, which resulted in a scuffle between the teams.
“Today was a little bit sloppier than our usual style of play," Fernandez said. “But the most important thing is that we got the win and we’re heading to the second round."