Vikes' Cesar Canton shows his ball skills
in win over Clairemont.
(Photos by Ed Piper)
Sophomore Cesar Canton pushed in matching goals in each half, and La Jolla rode the forward's dazzling ball-handling to a 2-0 win at Clairemont in a non-league match marred by numerous yellow cards Friday night, Dec. 18.
Canton's first goal, in the 17th minute of play, was a "through ball" from teammate Jack Barone, "I just shot it through," said the diminutive sophomore, who measures about 5'4" and is distinctive with his "shock-top" crop of bleached hair on the crown of his head.
The second score had more of the trademark Cesar footwork involved. It came in the 26th minute of play in the second half and also was a through ball from Barone.
Canton's move in front of the Chieftain goalie threw the keeper off balance, leaving him an open goal. "I took it with speed and took it around the keeper to the right," he said, before drilling the ball into the net.
As the La Jolla bench and crowd cheered, the emotional striker came up the near sideline and fell to his knees, raising both hands in a prayerful pose while looking up to the sky. Meanwhile, teammates continued congratulating him with pats on the shoulders.
Head coach Marcos Gonzales was effusive in his praise of his forward and the team. What does Canton give the Vikings? "A man up top that can put the ball in the goal, something we haven't had in a while." And Canton and others are only sophomores.
La Jolla goalie Tai Nguyen, a junior, got the shutout, though Gonzales subbed in Joseph Liss for him with a short time left and the lead secure. "He's a character," said the coach of his keeper, graduated from the junior varsity. "He has a personality. He talks a lot, he'll get it going." Gonzales agreed Nguyen is athletic in his movement in front of the goal.
Nguyen, after the game, said to his coach about being pulled with a short time to play, "No hard feelings." He appeared to be joking.
Max Leonard hits the skids in heavy contact
that characterized much of the match
on the Chieftains' field.
Barone, who was unavailable for the Vikings' previous game at Hoover, was active at midfield and moved the ball well. He is quick and handles the ball well.
Senior Noah Shen, who also plays club soccer, continued his effective role on defense. Gonzales is obviously fond of his contributions to the team.
The officials faced a hard time keeping players', fans', and spectators' audible criticisms under control. Several yellow cards were issued for fouls by players.
Said Shen of the controversy, "I tried to keep everybody calm and playing their game. And once we concentrated on how we played and focused on our style of soccer, we were able to ignore the adversity in the game."
The Vikings (2-2-1) travel to King-Chavez Middle School in downtown San Diego Mon., Dec. 21, to face King-Chavez High in a final non-league match before taking the rest of the two-week Christmas vacation off. Gonzales said there won't be any practice until school resumes Jan. 4.
Copyright 2015 Ed Piper
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