Matanzas boys soccer team held to one goal in loss to Tocoi Creek

Jonathan Costa scored off a rebound for the Pirates who are 0-1-1 after two games.

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Tocoi Creek jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead and held on to defeat Matanzas 3-1 in the Pirates’ boys soccer home opener on Friday, Nov. 7.

Matanzas (0-1-1) made it a one-goal game in the second half on Jonathan Costa’s goal off a rebound. But the Toros (1-0-0) put the game out of reach on Cameron Alves’ penalty kick with 2:32 left.

“It was just missed communication, a missed play,” Matanzas coach Beto Aquilar said of the Pirates’ penalty. “We tried to play the ball, to play it out (from the penalty area), and we just got countered. Jose Cortez had to make the foul. If he doesn't make it, the guy’s there by himself, so he took a gamble. I don't fault him for that, because he had to sacrifice something there at that point.”

Even though the Pirates have a senior-dominated team, they are trying to put together all the pieces, Aguilar said.

“We tried to create chances. It's just finishing in that final third — we got to finish it,” he said. “I think Tocoi had a good game plan, and they executed it. For us, I told the boys, it's not about this one game or the second game, it’s how we finish at the end of the season. A lone defeat doesn't define us, but hopefully it does create a little bit of character, and we can go into next week and handle business.”

Jake Bland and Jacob Jakstis scored for the Toros in the first half.

Matanzas opened the season with a 2-2 tie at DeLand on Nov. 3. The Pirates will host New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The Barracudas advanced to the Class 5A regional finals last season and have started out strong this season with three straight victories. They've outscored their opponents 11-2.

The Pirates then visit Mainland on Nov. 12 and return home Nov. 14 for a game against local opponent First Baptist Christian Academy.

 

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