Canyon Soccer Downs GV

Canyon Soccer Downs Golden Valley, 5-1

Canyon captain Aaron Ramos (3) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the second half of the match against Golden Valley. PHOTOS BY CHRIS TORRES / THE SIGNAL

By Justin Vigil-Zuniga

Signal Sports Writer

Canyon boys’ soccer (2-0, 2-0) won its home league opener, 5-1, over Golden Valley (4-4-1, 1-2) on Thursday, Dec. 8.

The Cowboys were led again by senior to the Grizzlies’ nine matches, but the Cowboys are off to a great start with two five-goal outings already. Golden Valley nearly struck first, with a quick shot on target from Chris Hernandez. Canyon wanted to do from an attacking standpoint. Johnson had to make a quick exit toward the end of the half after overextending on a play and fouling Golden Valley’s Pedro Roldan. Defender Joshua Arrellanes was forced to swap Marlon Tadeo, who knocked in two goals for the second straight game to start his varsity career. Canyon has only played in two games this season keeper Roman Johnson made a quick stop and launched the ball back downfield to set up his team’s first score. It only took a minute but Tadeo found the back of the net on the quick Canyon counter. The Cowboys turned up the heat after every goal and showed relentless pressure. The Grizzlies were possessing the ball and still got shots on target. However, quick counters and saves from Johnson led to the overwhelming Canyon pressure. Midfielder Gonzalo Carrera would find forward Marcus Toney for the second goal at the 12-minute mark. Toney has been one of the faster strikers in the Foothill League and has blown by backlines to set up big plays for the Cowboys. “We’re feeling good but we can’t be too happy,” said Toney. “We still have strong competitors [to face] in the end.” Jacob Bertran found the back of the net off a deflection in the box just before the halftime break to go up 3-0. “We took it to them immediately and we got that early goal,” said Canyon Head Coach Robert Benavidez. “Then we just kept the momentum going and I think we frustrated them from what they positions briefly and was sent in between the posts to stop a Grizzly free kick. Arrellanes came through, saving Roldan’s shot, and made the quick swap back into the midfield. Canyon maintained its momentum throughout the second half. The team’s pressure kept the ball in play on the Grizzlies’ side of the field and would inevitably lead to more scores. Toney notched his fifth assist of the year with a pass to Tadeo, who knocked in his second of the day.

See SOCCER, page 16

League Schedule

Dec. 15 Valencia 5 p.m. Dec. 27 @ Hart 3:15 p.m. Jan. 10 Saugus 5 p.m. Jan. 12 West Ranch 5 p.m. Jan. 19 @ Golden Valley 3:15 p.m. Jan. 1/24 @ Valencia 5 p.m. Jan. 1/31 Hart 5 p.m. Feb/2 @ Saugus 3:15 p.m.