Lancers back in touch, looking to conclude unfinished business

12/09/2021

web.HH10goal_3537 — Hilltop’s Gael Aguirre celebrate his first-half goal with Hilltop teammates during Monday’s 4-0 non-league victory over visiting Canyon Hills. Photo by Phillip Brents

The last time the current group of Hilltop High School boys soccer players was together was during the 2019-20 San Diego Section playoffs.

The sophomore-laden Lancers led top-seeded Escondido, 3-1, in the teams’ Division III semifinal match. But the ending was anything but cheerful. The host Cougars rallied to post a 4-3 overtime victory to eliminate fourth-seeded Hilltop.

The Lancers finished the season with a 20-5-4 record.

The 2021 spring season did not see the return of the majority of the players because of various reasons, including club conflicts and parents not wanting their children exposed to the coronavirus.

As a result, Hilltop fielded a team comprised mostly of junior varsity and novice players. The team’s 1-10-3 record showed that.

The 2021-22 season has seen the return of the majority of the 2019-20 team, plus new impactful recruits. The result has been a 3-0 start, braced by Monday’s 4-0 shutout win over the visiting Canyon Hills Rattlers in a non-league match.

Hilltop’s Alex Borrayo (13) drives toward the net in Monday’s non-league game against Canyon Hills. Photo by Phillip Brents

Hilltop goalkeeper Pablo Torres has recorded three consecutive shutouts to kick off the 2021-22 boys soccer season. Photo by Phillip Brents

How strong is this year’s Hilltop team?

The Lancers kicked off the season with a 15-0 shutout win at Christian High School on Nov. 30.

Obviously, expectations are high. “Two years ago this team went to the CIF semifinals and came up short,” HHS head coach John Salts said. “That team is now back together as seniors. Anything short of being in the CIF finals would be a disappointment. We feel we have a very strong team.”

The Lancers’ forte seems to be speed and passing, Its one shortfall might be in the height department.

“We’re short,” Salts conceded.

But good things come in small packages sometimes.

Nico Sanchez collected two goals and one assist in his freshman debut for the Lancers. Photo by Phillip Brents

“We are excited for the group of young men we have out this year,” Salts said. “We are led by a strong senior class and most of the team play together on clubs and are well versed with each other. The chemistry is very strong this year. They strongly feel they have unfinished business to take care of this year.

In the season opener against Christian, seniors Gael Aguirre, Isaac Rocha, Kevin Gonzalez, Dominic Mercado and David Camacho led the way with strong touches while controlling the tempo of the match, Salts noted. The defense, led by Mercado at center back and goalkeeper Pablo Torres, notched the first shutout of the season. Offensively, goal scoring was spread out through the lineup.

Hilltop improved to 2-0 on the season with a 1-0 win at Mater Dei Catholic on Dec. 2. Kevin Gomez netted the game-winner in the second half on a shot from 35 yards out.

Freshman Nico Sanchez made his varsity debut with two goals and one assist in Monday’s third consecutive shutout victory. Aguirre and senior Marcos Calderon also scored goals.

“I could have had more,” Sanchez offered with a smile. “I just want to play good, score goals and help the team win.”

Hilltop players applaud spectators and team managers following the game. Photo by Phillip Brents

Barons, Titans face off season at 41-team LCC mat draw

The high school wrestling season faced off last weekend with a 41-team boys tournament at La Costa Canyon High School, the 21st annual Jimmy Hamada Invitational.

Eastlake, braced by place-finishers David Mitrovich (eighth at 152 pounds) and Orlando Amado (eighth at 170 pounds), finished in a tie for 22nd place in the team standings with 56 points.

Mitrovich finished 5-3 in eight matches while battling through the wrestle-backs. He compiled two wins by minor decision (3-1 and 6-5), one pin (4:34), one technical fall (18-2) and one win by injury default.

Amado finished 3-3 in six trips to the mat, recording one win by major decision (13-4), one win by technical fall (17-1) and one win by pin (1:41).

The Titans brought 11 wrestlers to the two-day event. Alex King (120), Tomas Jocobo (138) and Richard Inzunza (182) all won two matches.

Other Eastlake entrants included John Paul Arballo (106), Danian Villasenor (113), Jaiden Marquez (126), Justin Graham (132), Saleem Taft (145) and Dawson Galvan (195).

Bonita Vista, buoyed by seventh-place finisher Isaac Lopez at 132 pounds, placed 40th in the team standings with 20 points.

Lopez finished 5-2 in the tournament with two pins. He pinned Granite Hills’ Devon Wells in 4:05 in the seventh-place match.

The Barons brought five wrestlers to the tournament, though only Lopez placed.