Boys' soccer beats North Torrance 2-1

In a tough game against North Torrance on December 5, Samo boys' soccer maintained the ball on Torrance territory and came close to scoring a few goals but was unable to follow through. Five minutes before half time, forward Christian Palomares (’15) shot the ball and it deflected off the left side of the post into the goal.Two minutes after Palomares scored, Torrance tied the game. Samo's goalie blocked the ball but did not grab it and the ball landed inside the goal.According to Coach Serafin Rodriguez, Samo was motivated by Palomares’ goal but after Torrance scored the team became too desperate for a goal.“The goalie’s timing was [off] and it flattened us right after that,” Rodriguez said. “It took the air out of us.”According to Rodrigue,z after Torrance scored the Vikings became anxious, which caused them to miss more shots.“It was desperation time,” Rodriguez said. “We lost our shape because they were desperately trying to score.”Samo Forward Giancarlo Canas (’14) said the team wasn’t playing at its fullest.“I don’t think we were playing our game,” Canas said. “We need to work on finishing.”Midfielder Jason Bautista (’14) shot a penalty goal and gave Samo the ultimate victory.bgonzalez@thesamohi.com