Erik Rosales scores late goal to send it to overtime, then connects on final PK to beat L.A. King/Drew
Steele Canyon sophomore Erik Rosales blasted home the game-tying goal with his right foot from 18 yards away in the final moments of regulation, then smashed home the last of five consecutive Cougar goals from the mark during penalty kicks, lifting the hosts to victory in the Division IV Southern California Regional championship over King/Drew Magnet, of Los Angeles, played in blustery conditions on Saturday evening.
The second-seeded Cougars won state regional playoff games over Quartz Hill and Crawford, both by 2-1 scores, to qualify to host the regional championship against seventh-seeded King/Drew .A strong wind blew to the east for most of the contest, with Steele Canyon failing to capitalize on Mother Nature’s momentum over the first 40 minutes. The Cougars outshot the Golden Eagles, 4-0, in the first half.
Steele Canyon was having nearly as much trouble as its opponent did in the first half attacking the west end in the second half, but Rosales was perfect with his strike, which came just moments before the referee’s whistle. Danny Medina, Austin Moore, and Ashton Cedarwall were the other Cougars to make their penalty tries, while Shields came up with a save in the second round of the shootout to make the difference. Ironically, the wild weather calmed during the penalty kicks.