CI boys’ soccer on the road to CIF

Channel Islands’ boys’ soccer season has been like a roller coaster: lots of ups and downs.

The Raiders had a bad start but a good finish. Last week they fought hard to beat rival Hue, neme 2-1 and qualify for the CIF playoffs. Today, CI travels to play Santa Fe Springs of Sante Fe (16-3-1); game time is 3 p.m.

With the win over league-champion Hueneme, Channel Islands claimed third place in the tough Pacific View League with a record of 3-3-2. Overall, the Raiders are 12-8-5.

Coach Adrian Garcia says, “I am very proud and happy that my boys have lived up to their potential. Hopefully we get more support next year because we are looking for great things.”

Mr. Garcia wants to thank all the coaches for being there and helping make this happen. One of the players Garcia would like to single out for praise is Eric Mottu, CI’s senior goalkeeper who has recorded six shutouts this season.

Mottu is just as appreciative of Coach Garcia. “CI wasn’t doing good until Garcia motivated us with his speeches,” Mottu said.

After losing to Hueneme in the first meeting, Channel Islands bounced back from the loss with a pair of shutout victories. In the rematch, CI came out on top with Edwin Santacruz and Cristian Chavez scoring the goals. Andres Zuniga, a senior, had the assist on Chavez’s goal.

Santacruz, a sophomore, leads the team with 12 goals; Zuniga has six goals. Coach Garcia mentioned Gama Gomez (5 assists) as a top defender and Adrian Moreno as a top midfielder.

“It feels almost perfect to beat the team that’s 8th place in the country,” Mottu said. “People were doubting us but we came back up as a team.”

Chavez, a midfielder, adds, “Knowing that CI is going to CIF is an amazing feeling.”

Editor’s Note: Boys’ Soccer was eliminated in Round 2 of CIF versus El Dorado on February 22, 2017 after overtime in penalty kicks. (4-2)