Crucial stretch of games ahead for Downey boys soccer

DOWNEY - The Downey High School boys' soccer team currently has an overall record of 10-4-5 and a league record of 2-2-3.The Vikings tied Dominguez at Downey 0-0 on Jan. 18, then tied Lynwood at Lynwood 0-0 on Jan. 23 and lost to Warren at Warren 3-0 on Jan. 25. Downey defeated Gahr at Gahr 2-1 on Tuesday and will host Paramount later today. In the Gahr game, Downey overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit by getting goals from forward Kristian Saravia and Javier Torreblanca in the second half. The Vikings won their first round game against Gahr by the same 2-1 score. Paramount is currently on top of the San Gabriel Valley League standings. The Pirates have an overall record of 13-3-3 and a league record of 6-0-1. Warren stands in second place with an overall record of 3-6-6 and a league record of 3-1-3. Downey (10-4-5, 2-2-3) and Lynwood (4-10-1, 3-3-1) are currently battling for third and fourth place while Dominguez (3-3-5, 1-2-4) and Gahr (1-11, 0-7) round out the S.G.V.L. standings. Coach Barber is pleased with how well his young team is playing and is looking for a push to get his squad into the C.I.F. playoffs. The Vikings still have second round league play against defending C.I.F. Division III champion Paramount at home, are at Dominguez on Monday and will host Lynwood on Wednesday The Lynwood game on Feb. 6 may very well be the most important game of the season for the Vikings as the playoffs approach. Certainly all points in the standings count. A win is better than a tie and a tie is better than a loss. The advantage for the Vikings this time around against Lynwood is that this game will be played at Allen Layne Stadium where Downey has an 6-2-3 record.

********** Published: January 31, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 42