Boys’ Soccer defeats Culver City 3-1

Boys’ Varsity Soccer beat Culver City High School 3-1 in a tough game on Wednesday, February 5, guarantying Samo a first place ranking in Ocean League for its next game against Beverly Hills. Given the importance of the game, the bleachers were packed with fans.“[Culver] was currently first place in league so if we came out strong and won this game we would be first place in league,” Captain and midfielder Omar Sanchez ('14) said.According to Sanchez, after losing to Culver City at an away game, Samo considered this game a rematch.“We redeemed ourselves because we knew we were the better team and obviously it showed today,” Sanchez said. “We got the win.”According to assistant coach Andy Rock, the highlight of the game was the first goal scored by defender Elliot Baumohl (’14).“It was an unbelievable goal,” Rock said. “He hit it from way out and it went right in the top corner.”Rock said that Samo has improved monumentally at moving with the ball.“We are especially good at moving the ball around and creating chances,” Rock said. “In the past we have had trouble finishing those chances but we are getting better at it.”Throughout the game there were multiple complaints to the referees from both sides, especially after Sanchez received a red card for committing a foul and then allegedly responding to the referee. Rock said that it is a difficult job for the referees to make hard calls especially when there is so much at stake for both teams. Sanchez will have to sit out in the game against Beverly Hills on February 7.“Everyone is yelling at [the referees] and everyone thinks that they have a better idea of what happened,” Rock said.According to Rock, the competition to become league champions was between Samo, Culver and Hawthorne.“It’s tight this year,” Rock said. “There are three teams trying to get for first place and now we are there.”Rock said that Samo's players have showed a supportive attitude towards each other and have been learning from the mistakes they’ve made in the past.“If we can keep doing what we are doing, we'll be on the right path,” Rock said.Sanchez said that Samo showcased its abilities, talent and potential during the game.“We came out strong,” Sanchez said. “We pressured and pressured until we got those three goals. Once we got those three goals it was over.”