INGLEWOOD For the second consecutive season, the Animo Leadership boys soccer program is headed to a CIF-Southern Section final.
Senior midfielder and leading goal-scorer Alex Lugo scored twice and Daniel Arreola notched a couple of assists to lead Animo to a 4-2 Division 3 semifinal win over Buena Park Friday at Vincent Edward Park.
Animo lost to Palm Desert in last year’s Division 5 final.
“We have great captains and leaders that have motivated the squad to reach this kind of season so far,” Animo coach Sergio Medrano said. “We’re using the experience from last year to put a great season together.”
Buena Park enjoyed plenty of play in the attacking third for the first 20 minutes of the game, but it proved to be more about the nerves from the Aztec Eagles who controlled the game as time passed.
Lugo’s opener in the 19th minute was exactly what the hosts needed to settle the tension which turned into confidence when forward Brian Rodriguez doubled the Aztec Eagles’ lead moments before the halftime whistle.
“We did start off with a little bit of nerves trying to find rhythm in the game,” Medrano added. “Once we started connecting our passes and falling into rhythm, that first goal came and it kind of calmed the nerves down and we started playing our game.”
With 40 minutes left to bounce back from two goals down, the Coyotes were forced to start the second half with more urgency going forward, leaving senior midfielder Brandon Garcia in space to receive the ball atop the half-circle and fire a shot into the top right corner.
The sublime individual effort from distance made it 3-0 in favor of Animo who had one foot in the final with 35 minutes left to play.
“We kept up with their previous games and they were a team that was good at coming back,” Lugo said. “I didn’t want to underestimate their ability to come back from that, so I was trying to stay on top of my teammates to make sure that they didn’t let loose.”
Buena Park was gifted a goal 10 minutes later through junior forward Alex Hipolito who was in the right place at the right time to slam home a giveaway by the Animo defense in a dangerous area.
The Aztec Eagles continued to dominate possession following the Coyotes’ consolation goal and with five minutes left, Lugo added his second of the game with a chip of junior goalkeeper Yandel Saucedo, who saved Lugo’s initial shot, to send Animo to its second consecutive final.
With the game out of reach, a scramble in the box earned Buena Park a second goal with a loose ball forced beyond the line following a corner kick.
Animo will face Almont League champion Bell Gardens in the final, either Friday or Saturday. Bell Gardens defeated Newbury Park 2-0 in the other semifinal.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things,” Lugo said about facing Bell Gardens. “It was expected for us to meet so we have a week to prepare.
“We’re going to do everything we can to get that goal of lifting that plaque.”