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Juan Navarro High School Athletics

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Boys Soccer Pulls off Dramatic 3 goal Comeback

BOYS SOCCER PULLS OFF DRAMATIC 3 GOAL COMEBACK

Navarro Boys Soccer 3-3 McCallum Goals: Mario Castaneda, Bryan Martinez (2) Assists: Bryan Martinez Highlights on Hudl:

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The Vikings took on a strong McCallum side on Monday night in a crucial district match with potential implications for playoffs. McCallum entered the match in 2nd place with Navarro still in contention but just outside of the playoff spots first time this season. While the Vikings started brightly with Justin Guevara and Osbaldo Serna connecting in possession, it was the Knights who took control midway through the first half. A long range effort into the bottom score opened the scoring 25 minutes in. Two more goals flew in from distance in short succession, leaving the Vikings out on their feet and holding on for half time. The 3-0 McCallum lead must have felt insurmountable to the Navarro supporters who were welcomed back to the stands for the first time since December through online ticketing. Anyone who left early though will be regretting the decision to abandon ship because what happened next was unbelievable. Substitute defenders Bryan Araujo and Lucio Gonzalez entered to stabilize the back line in the 2nd half. For 20 minutes the Vikings successfully neutralized the previous McCallum goal threat, but clear chances of their own were scarce. The clearest sights of goal came from Cristopher Cisneros's dribbling down the wing and Roli Diengo's work through the center. Navarro still trailed by three goals with 13 minutes remaining when Bryan Martinez launched an in-swinging free kick into the box with such velocity that the McCallum keeper could not catch cleanly. Mario Castaneda took advantage of the opportunity to head home from close range. Five minutes later, another Martinez free kick sailed into the crowded penalty box and flew straight in this time. From 3-0 down, the Vikings had pulled it back to 3-2. McCallum recovered well from the two goals and began to run down the clock with smart possession. With less than two minutes remaining, the Vikings were trying desperately to recover the ball and get it forward. The chance to do so came off of a neatly worked throw in. Ruben Vences's delivery was worked around to Bryan Martinez who played a ball into the channel for Roli Diengo to run on to. As Roli got to the ball in the box, he was clattered into by an onrushing defender. The whistle blew, the ref pointed to the spot, and Navarro was awarded a penalty kick. Bryan Martinez stepped up to take the first penalty kick of his Varsity career, and under immense pressure, he buried in the bottom corner. From 3-0 down with so little time remaining, Navarro had battled back to 3-3. The improbable comeback keeps the Viking playoff hopes alive with just three games remaining. Next up is Senior Night against Northeast ECHS at Nelson Field, Wednesday March 3rd at 8 pm. Make it a double header and catch the girls against NE at 6 pm. Tickets are now available for purchase online -

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