The Maranatha High School boys' soccer team hosted Valley Christian High School in the opening match of Olympic League play on Jan. 3. Maranatha battled back from a one-goal deficit to end the league opener against Valley Christian in a 1-1 tie. The Defenders took the lead with nearly two minutes left in the first half before Minutemen junior Lucas Youssefian equalized in the second half. The Minutemen started off the first half of the game with possession of the ball. Lorenzo Rodriguez picked up an early chance with two minutes gone but was denied the goal by the Valley Christian goalkeeper. Samuel Jimenez quelled a Valley Christian corner kick at 36:29 before Niko Lareau and Caleb Freeman helped clear the ball in the box. Nearly 10 minutes later, Youssefian took a shot on goal but was saved by the Defenders. With just under two minutes left in the first half, the Defenders scored their first goal of the game to take a 1-0 lead over the Minutemen.The Minutemen came back stronger defensively in the second half, making sure to keep the ball on their side of the field.Youssefian started to pick things up after an attempt on goal went just above the post. He and the Minutemen continued to press the visitors before scoring in the 53rd minute off an assist by sophomore Mauricio Ramirez. With nearly 12 minutes left in regulation, Youssefian made an additional attempt to give his team the upper hand but the shot was caught by the Defenders goalie.The Defenders took one last shot with two minutes left in the match but Lareau was there to keep the match at a standstill.

The Maranatha High School boys’ soccer team hosted Valley Christian High School in the opening match of Olympic League play on Jan. 3. With just under two minutes left in the first half, the Defenders scored their first goal of the game to take a 1-0 lead over the Minutemen.The Minutemen started off the first half […]

The Maranatha High School boys’ soccer team hosted Valley Christian High School in the opening match of Olympic League play on Jan. 3. With just under two minutes left in the first half, the Defenders scored their first goal of the game to take a 1-0 lead over the Minutemen.The Minutemen started off the first half of the game with possession of the ball. Lorenzo Rodriguez picked up an early chance with two minutes gone but was denied the goal by the Valley Christian goalkeeper. The Defenders took the lead with nearly two minutes left in the first half before Minutemen junior Lucas Youssefian equalized in the second half. Samuel Jimenez quelled a Valley Christian corner kick at 36:29 before Niko Lareau and Caleb Freeman helped clear the ball in the box. Nearly 10 minutes later, Youssefian took a shot on goal but was saved by the Defenders. Maranatha battled back from a one-goal deficit to end the league opener against Valley Christian in a 1-1 tie. The Minutemen came back stronger defensively in the second half, making sure to keep the ball on their side of the field.The Defenders took one last shot with two minutes left in the match but Lareau was there to keep the match at a standstill. With nearly 12 minutes left in regulation, Youssefian made an additional attempt to give his team the upper hand but the shot was caught by the Defenders goalie.Youssefian started to pick things up after an attempt on goal went just above the post. He and the Minutemen continued to press the visitors before scoring in the 53rd minute off an assist by sophomore Mauricio Ramirez.