Varsity boys soccer cruises to a 2-0 win against FHS on Jan. 24. This victory continues the team’s undefeated season, bringing them a step closer toward their goal of placing at the top of the division, wingback, senior Aiden Sung said.

The Mustangs had a dominant grasp on the win from the start of the game, Sung said. With 30 minutes left in the first half, right back, junior Robin Decasper drove the ball up the field before being fouled at the edge of the goal area. A throw-in from Decasper to center back, junior Owen Gibbs gave Gibbs an open shot, giving HHS the first point of the game.
After Gibbs’s goal, a combination of physicality and speed allowed FHS to rally back offensively later in the first half, coach Adam Clark said. The Firebirds were able to control possession of the ball for the latter half of the first quarter, prompting Clark to switch the team to a more defensive formation while rotating players to maintain team performance.
“They gave everything they had in the first half, and then they didn’t have anything left,” Clark said. “We’re such a diverse team that we can put in our subs, and you can’t really tell that we’ve dropped off. We just have a better variety than [FHS] and that paid off.”
During the second half, the Mustangs were able to regain control of the ball, with striker, junior Daniel Morissy leading several drives to keep the ball on the Firebird’s side of the field. However, the Mustangs were unable to compete with several of the Firebird’s key plays, wingback, senior Aiden Sung said.
“We struggled [with] some of their dirty fouls and we couldn’t make our way through those,” Sung said. “I feel like we definitely could’ve done better coped with high pressure.”
Despite struggles, the second half had great substitutions, Clark said. With nine minutes left in the game, midfielder, junior Aaron Kang drove the ball up the side, before passing to wingback, senior Nestor Riveros Estacio. Estacio, who had just been substituted in, dribbled past two defenders before burying the ball in the back of the net. This would be the last point of the game, giving the Mustangs their fourth win of the season, Gibbs said.
The Mustangs’ defense, combined with several key saves from goalie, junior Adrian Matta, kept the Firebirds scoreless despite their rally. This kind of performance is a first for the Mustangs, and it shows the growth of the team, Gibbs said.
“We fought really well,” Gibbs said. “We held them off and didn’t give up any goals. I think that’s the first time this season. We’re just trying to keep the game in control, keep the ball [in control] and play a little bit more.”
The Mustangs and Firebirds will rematch on Friday, Jan. 31, which will also be the Mustang’s senior night, Clark said. The game will be an opportunity to both honor the seniors and show off the skill of every player on the team, Clark said.
“[On] senior night, I plan to play all the seniors, at least start them all,” Clark said. “At HHS, the level of soccer is so good it’s hard to get everyone in, but I’m excited to play with all the seniors.”