Fountain Valley Knocks Off No. 2 Esperanza

In a showdown between two of the top teams in Orange County boys’ soccer, sixth-ranked Fountain Valley beat second-ranked Esperanza, 2-1, in a Sunset League game Wednesday at Fountain Valley High.

Fountain Valley (13-2-2, 5-0) scored first when a free kick by Ryan Futagaki bounced off Adam Novak’s leg and past Aztec goalie Nathan Fiske eight minutes into the game.

The Barons made it 2-0 about 15 minutes later on a breakaway by Nick Tolman.

Baron Coach Kevin Smith said his team is playing well and believes its depth has been an important factor. “I like the direction we are going in right now and I like our chances against anybody because we’re so deep,” Smith said.

“We can bring in guys off the bench to give the starters a break and we don’t miss a thing. It’s a total team effort with us.”

Esperanza (18-2-1, 4-1) rallied late in the game and scored its only goal when Aaron Colacion nailed a shot from 18 yards with five minutes left.

Said Aztec Coach Kino Oaxaca: “They played and we didn’t. The score wasn’t what it should’ve been. We could have easily lost 5-0 the way we played.”

“You can’t go up against a team like Fountain Valley and not play. It just doesn’t work that way.”