Grossmont Boys Soccer: Offense Back in 3-1 Win

Following a stretch of more than five games without scoring, a little luck and good timing allowed Grossmont High to fashion a streak of three unanswered goals Thursday to close out visiting Calexico 3-1 in a boys soccer nonleague game.

Edgar Mancillas tallied the first of his two goals after the Bulldogs failed to properly clear the ball out of the box, answering less than a minute after Calexico opened the scoring in the 26th minute.

"Calexico had us pretty good at the start," said Foothillers captain Curt Owen. "We were diving all over the place and not making plays until then."

The Bulldogs dominated play for the opening 15 minutes, taking nine shots, though only one on goal. The Grossmont defense smothered six others. However, a play out of midfield developed into the opening goal.

Brian Avina stole the ball at midfield and fed teammate Renato Mendoza for an open run down the left wing. Mendoza centered and found Robert Rosiles for an 11-yard strike to the right post.

But Grossmont found the break it needed to score for the first time since its opener. A Foothiller ball into the box was only partially cleared, landing at the foot of Mancillas for a 16-yard blast to tie it at 1-1 in the 27th minute.

Three minutes later, a long direct kick by Tyler Adamos found Zack Pennix for what turned out to be the game-winning goal just before the intermission.

"We're actually playing well, but we've played a tough schedule," added Owen, noting top competition such as Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch and Poway. "Because of it, I feel we should do real well in league."

Grossmont's defense, although a bit sloppy at times, still prevented Calexico from climbing back into the game. Owen noted the play of fullback Jordan Poehlman in stopping Avina, the Bulldogs' strong left-footed striker.

"Jordan blocked at least six of his shots," said Owen. "We wanted to clop him down and force him to his right, with Jordan marking him well all day."

Calexico goalie Giovany Ceballos kept his side in contention by stopping a pair of second-half breakaways. But Mancillas took a forward pass from Ethan Sauls for the insurance goal in the 80th (and final) minute.

Grossmont returns to action at 7 p.m.  Saturday against another team from the Imperial Valley, meeting El Centro-Central Union in a San Diego High Holiday Tournament game at Glenn Broderick Field (old Balboa Stadium).