Bad Defense Puts End to El Toro

Scoreless at halftime with third-seeded Los Angeles Loyola, El Toro appeared primed for another miracle. But El Toro’s defense, which had posted three consecutive shutouts, had two major breakdowns in the second half as Chargers fell to Loyola, 2-1, in the Division I boys’ final at Cerritos Gahr High on Friday night before 1,500 fans.

Loyola (28-3) scored both goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half, the first coming on an own goal and the second on a shot by Loyola defender Greg Zelenay that went through keeper Josh Saunders’ legs. El Toro, a wild-card team that had knocked off four league champions and one seeded-team, scored on a short volley by midfielder Ryan Kenyon 30 seconds before the game ended.

“I think the kids feel like they gave up a couple of cheap goals,” El Toro Coach Ken Sjobom said. “That’s what hurts.”

Loyola scored two minutes into the second half. Forward Trevor Mutch took the ball wide, and when Saunders came out to challenge on the right wing, Mutch tapped it toward the goal. El Toro defender Ryan Dooley deflected the ball in the net as he was trying to clear it.

Eight minutes later, Loyola had the ball on the right wing again. Zelenay booted it on the ground from 12 yards away and Saunders was unable to stop it.