Defending San Diego Section Division III champion Castle Park appears to have more in the tank in 2010-11. The Trojans kicked off South Bay League play on Jan. 4 and have taken the early lead with a 5-0 start that has included victories against Southwest (4-3). Olympian (2-1), Montgomery (1-0), San Ysidro (8-1 on Tuesday) and Mar Vista (2-1 on Thursday).
Castle Park had opened the season with a magical 10-0-1 start but saw its season-opening 11-game unbeaten streak end with a 1-0 non-league loss to Coronado on Jan. 7.
Alfredo Rodriguez has kicked off the season in high gear with 12 goals and two assists. Teammate Ivan Cabrales (five goals, one assist) and Victor Perez (three goals, five assists) have also contributed to the team’s success.
Rodriguez had three goals in Tuesday’s win and scored one goal in Thursdaty’s victory. Felipe Liborio also scored one goal in the team’s latest win over Mar Vista while Joshua Damian and Perez each had one assist.
Castle Park next plays at Sweetwater on Tuesday, Jan. 25, to close out the first round of league play. Match time is 3 p.m.
Southwest is 5-1 in South Bay League play, 10-4-1 overall, after the Raiders downed host Sweetwater , 3-1, on Thursday. Luis. Espinoza, Francisco Ramirez and Jaime Verdin each scored goals for Southwest.
The Raiders’ top four scorers include Victor Andrade (seven goals, four assists), Verdin (four goals, nine assists), Eric Rodriguez (seven goals, one assist), and Francisco Rodriguez (fivegoals, three assists).
Southwest kick-starts the second round of league play on Thursday, Jan. 27, with a 3 p.m. match at Castle Park.
Mesa League
Hilltop’s most magical season continued on Thursday as the host Lancers shaded the Chula Vista Spartans, 1-0, on a goal by Angel Robles to move out to 2-0 in Mesa League play, 16-2 overall. Carlos Arroyo drew the assist on Robles’ game-winning goal while goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas made eight saves to record his eighth shutout of the season.
Hilltop hosts Bonita Vista in a high profile match-up on Tuesday, Jan. 25, with kick off slated for 3:30 p.m.
The Barons evened their league record at 1-1 following Thursday’s 3-0 victory over Mater Dei Catholic.
Mesa League standings
(Based on reported scores)
Hilltop 2-0-0
Bonita Vista 1-1-0
Chula Vista 1-1-0
Eastlake 0-0-1
Mater Dei Catholic 0-1-1
Otay Ranch 0-1-0
Missing: Jan. 21 Eastlake-Otay Ranch score
South Bay League standings
(Based on reported scores)
Castle Park 5-0-0
Southwest 5-1-0
Olympian 3-2-0
Montgomery 2-2-0
Sweetwater 1-3-0
Mar Vista 1-4-0
San Ysidro 0-5-0
