LJ b soccer 2, UC 1

Pablo Jativa (middle) is congratulated by

teammates Lukas Keeling (L) and Takumi
Nishikawa (R) after scoring the decider
with 11 minutes remaining in regulation.

(Photo by Ed Piper, Jr.)

By Ed Piper, Jr.

Viking senior Lukas Keeling greeted University City goalkeeper Colin Medina--in Medina's first game back from a broken ankle--with a penalty kick to tie, then Pablo Jativa launched a roller that reached the open goal with 11 minutes left as La Jolla edged the host Centurions 2-1 in a crucial Eastern League soccer game Thurs., Feb. 2.

The win was the Vikings' first in the tough newly-configured conference, evening their record at 1-1-2, 12-1-2 overall.

Head coach Marcos Gonzales' squad gave up a UC goal before five minutes had elapsed in the match. Quick junior forward Alex Churness headed in a ball right in front of Viking goalie Tai Nguyen.

But La Jolla had good time of possession from there and finally broke through in a physical, contested game on Keeling's kick with 20 minutes left in the second half.

The goofy-footer absolutely fooled the recuperated Medina, a senior. The keeper guessed right, and Keeling, a smooth U.S. Academy veteran, planted the ball in the far left end of the goal untouched for the knotted score.

That set up the Spaniard Jativa's score from 25 yards in front of the net. Medina had exposed the goal by coming way out to confront the Vikings' forwards. Pablo, who was serenaded by co-captain Jack Barone, "Pablito, Pablito," after the final whistle, kicked the ball out of a group toward the goal. That was enough.

UC defender Federico Pedrazzani vainly tried to catch up with the bounding ball from behind, the goal mouth untended. He slid to try to divert Jativa's shot, falling yards short.

The Centurions drop to 0-2-2 in the Eastern League, 8-5-6 overall.

The rival teams tied 2-2 in their previous matchup on La Jolla's turf Jan. 17. The Vikings' other tie in league play was 1-1 at Lincoln Tues., Jan. 24.

La Jolla suffered its first loss of the season to a talented San Diego High squad in a league match Thurs., Jan. 26. UC also lost to SDHS Tues., Jan. 31. That score was 4-3.

The Cavers, with a 4-1 record in the Eastern League, are led by a member of the U.S. Youth Olympic Development Program (ODP) who is reputed to be an outstanding player.

Asked before the game how his team had been playing, Viking assistant coach Victor Zendejas said, "They've been playing great."

Asked his opinion separately how the team had been playing, Gonzales said, "Lousy."

The difference in assessment seemed to be that Zendejas was talking about the defending CIF Division 4 champs' play overall this season.