The Culver City High School boys’ soccer team will travel to Torrance on Friday to take on a good Santa Barbara team in the South Torrance Tournament. The 4-1-1 Centaurs will play a 5-1-1 Santa Barbara team at 6 o’clock in a game that should produce top level soccer play.
The Centaurs are coming off two impressive victories last week and this. Last Saturday, Culver City beat Reseda 5-0 after a scoreless first half.
The Centaurs began scoring early in the second half when junior Omar Reyes connected on the first goal. Minutes later, junior Lucas Lezcano made a strong move past two defenders and found the back of the net for a secind goal.
The next three goals were delivered from an unlikely source, Nico Melendez, co-captain and goalkeeper. Midway through the second half, coach Louie Espeleta inserted Melendez at forward, and he responded with his three scores. The first two goals were helped by two terrific assists from junior Maaten Hessling.
Melendez is keeping it all in the family. His father, Eddie, played football and volleyball in the early 1980s, his aunt, Annette Melendez, ran track in the late 1980s, and two cousins also played soccer and football at Culver High.
Last Tuesday the Centaurs beat Inglewood 3-0, in a game that featured good passing and several outstanding plays in wet, cold weather.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
