Royals succumb to Lodi Flames

Varsity: Coach Flores said that she was still baffled on what happened in the first half. “The boys came out asleep,” she said. “It was like back to square one all over again with simple mistakes, lack of communication and not connecting passes.”

Lodi scored quickly in the first two minutes, but Armijo turned it back around on them six minutes later with a goal by junior Esteban Carcamo. However, the Royals then let the Flames come back and score less than a minute later. Armijo’s defense was able to step up and hold it down for the rest of the half to pause at 1-2 during halftime.

The Royals had a long conversation about what was going on and not going on during play on the field. The boys woke up after this and came back to play how Coach Flores knows they can in second half. Another simple mistake however gave them another goal five minutes into the second half and this was the final wake up the boys needed to play to their full potential.

About eight minutes after their goal, Armijo managed to get one by again with some great movement by Carcamo for his second goal of the game. The Royals continued to push and play a better game for the rest of the half but couldn’t get that shot needed in goal.

Armijo ended the game with the 2-3 loss that really hit home with the boys. “They need to find themselves out on that field right when the whistle blows to start play,” said Coach Flores. “The potential and ability is there; they just need to realize it for themselves and come out to win.”

The Royals still had some great moments with “the Andys” and defenders Gio Zarate and Jorge Rodriguez. Ball movement by Carcamo, Diego Torres and Abraham Perez was amazing to watch, as usual. Our second keeper, Cristian Cerino, even got in today during the second half and did great for his debut game. The talent and ability is there, they just need to show up at the start and realize their potential themselves.

Junior Varsity (JV): Armijo started the game low in numbers with sophomore Santiago Alvarez playing with JV for the first time. Lodi came forward strong by keeping possession a majority of the first half. They were able to score with a finish from inside the 18-yard box.

Armijo was down 1-0 at the half with only one sub available. Sophomore captain Angel Murillo commanded the midfield and battled for every play, but forwards weren’t able to capitalize.

Lodi scored again and it was 2-0 to end the game after a shot came from outside the box. Players were exhausted after a majority played the whole game.