Tritons' Boys Topple Santa Barbara, 2-1, to Win First CIF Soccer Title

San Clemente boys soccer coach Mike Pronier’s voice cracked a little as he tried to hold his emotions in check while his team celebrated its 2-1 victory over Santa Barbara in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship match Saturday night at Warren High in Downey.

It’s understandable that Pronier would be a little choked up over his team's success. After all, it’s his 23rd season coaching the Tritons and Pronier once played for San Clemente. So to be able to help guide this team to the school's first boys soccer section championship was something he knew was quite special.

“They’ve worked hard," Pronier said. "And I’m so proud of the way they came on towards the end of league and it’s just been getting better and better.”

The Tritons were the runners-up in the South Coast League, but Pronier said they seemed to find their identity in their final few league games. He said they had been a skilled and dangerous team for most of the season, but their ability to control the ball and games didn’t translate into as many victories as it could have.

But just before the start of the playoffs, the team seemed to add an edge to its game. Featuring a number of seniors, the Tritons began to play with a little more determination to make their playoff run as memorable as possible.

“We really fight for each other," senior midfielder Fabian Caudillo said. "We went out there to fight. We had five battles; we won them all and we’re champions.”

The Tritons won five one-goal games -- four by scores of 2-1 -- including two in overtime during the playoffs. Early on Saturday, it appeared that the Tritons would break that trend and roll past the Dons as they controlled the first half in dominating fashion. They pressured Santa Barbara relentlessly before finally scoring in the 16th minute to take a 1-0 lead.

The Tritons pressed the ball in the Dons’ defensive zone and junior defender Greg Molina was able to get an open shot on goal from about 18 yards. The ball was stopped by the goalkeeper but he couldn't control it and the ballt bounced out in front. This time, senior defender Kevin Gould drilled it into the left side of the net.

San Clemente continued to control the ball for the remainder of the half, putting on a display that Pronier called the best soccer he had ever seen played by a Triton squad. And they eventually did add another goal in the 39th minute on a play that was as well-executed as one might see in soccer.

After pressuring Santa Barbara in close, the Dons were able to clear the ball out of the goal box. But sophomore midfielder Oscar Vasquez contained it at about 30 yards out and sent a quick pass to Caudillo at the top of the box. Caudillo fed a sharp pass to the right side to Justice Duerksen, who dribbled to the goal line and sent a crossing pass through traffic to the far side of the goal. Senior midfielder Bryan Fouch was there to one-time a blistering shot into the open net -- Santa Barbara never even touched the ball.

But for as much control as the Tritons were in the first half, the Dons seemed to adjust and take over in the second. Santa Barbara eventually got on the board in the 57th minute on a goal by Sanford Spivey off a crossing pass from Alex Navarro. Santa Barbara continued to pressure the Tritons and Pronier admitted his team was wearing down, so he went to his bench to try and stave off the tying goal.

“We were just trying to keep everyone a little fresh because Santa Barbara was coming at us hard,” Pronier said.

The Tritons, who held their team banquet during this past week even though they still had one more game to play, will see their magical season extended for at least another game now, having qualified for the CIF Southern California Regionals that begin next week.