Boys soccer upsets top team El Segundo 2-1

The boys soccer team hosted the El Segundo High School Eagles at home on Thursday, Feb. 11 . Both teams felt confident coming into the match, Samo had recently defeated Beverly Hills, and El Segundo held the #1 rank in Ocean League. With playoffs right around the corner, this game was very important to both sides.It was senior night at Samo, and the veteran players were honored before their final regular season match. If they were at all emotional, it showed in their play. Samo came out on the offensive, immediatly challenging El Segundo’s defenders with fast dribbling attacks coming from each side. Towards the start, wing Jasper Byrne (’16), narrowly weaved through three defenders and managed to slip the ball past the goalkeeper, putting Samo up 1-0.After the first goal, the El Segundo defense seemed to compose themselves, because they came back playing very well. As the first half continued, neither team could get a leg up on the other. Each side was playing sound defense, leaving offensive player with only a few chances to shoot.Samo was held out by El Segundo the rest of the half, and the teams went to their assigned benches tired from competing intensely.The gridlock battle resumed at the start of the second half, but this time, El Segundo seemed to be gaining control. Samo managed to evade the danger of the away team scoring a couple times, but they eventually made a mistake. An El Segundo player got the ball off of a good pass from a teamate, and shot it past the Samo defense. Now tied 1-1 late in the final half, each side was playing all out.Samo came back into the game after the goal, proving their worth as an underdog by challenging El Segundo on offense. With great play in the middle of the field, Samo brought the ball up in transition, pushing toward El Segundo’ goal. Towards the end of the match, Samo had the ball, and senior Sylvain Wolfe (’16) fired a game-winning shot past the goalie, putting Samo up 2-1, and defeating El Segundo, and marking a victorious end to their Ocean League season, where they finished 5-4-1.