Stallions celebrate Sr. Night with victory

Courtesy of Christopher Cross

Madera South’s David Alfaro sends a shot on goal during Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over San Joaquin Memorial. Alfaro scored his first two goals of the season in the win.

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The Madera South Stallions boys soccer team completed its regular season home soccer schedule by honoring its 10 seniors and came away with a 3-1 victory over San Joaquin Memorial-Fresno in Stallions Stadium.

The Stallions got a goal midway through the first half and added two more in the second half for the win Wednesday evening. The Panthers added a goal late in the game for the final score. With the win, the Stallions secured their spot to finish second in the County/Metro Athletic Conference.

Ten Stallions were honored before the match — David Alfaro, Edgar Arvizu, Daniel De Jesus, Julian Gallardo, Cesar Perez, Axel Rodriguez, Angel Sanchez, Rodolfo Valdez, Ulysses Vega and Charlie Cruz.

In the 25th minute of the first half, Arvizu sent a ball across to the front of the goal. The ball hit of off of Alfaro’s face and to the ground. Alfaro found the ball, settled it and shot into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

“He’s been struggling all year to score a goal,” head coach Enrique Garcia said. “It led to him having more confidence in the second half for another goal.”

In the second half, Josiah Navia went down the field and cut inside. He sent a rocket shot past the Panthers’ keeper for the insurance goal.

“It was good for him being up from the junior varsity level. It was huge,” Garcia said.

Later in the first half, Navia got the ball on the side and sent it across to Alfaro. This time, he played it off his feet, went wide and shot inside the near post just outside the goalkeeper’s box for his second goal of the match.

“We were building really well,” Garcia said. “We were transitioning from offense to defense. It was another clearance goal.”