Boys’ soccer: Plenty of action in SOCES-Elizabeth title game

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As the first half ends, the Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies has a 3-2 lead over Elizabeth Learning Center in Friday’s Small Schools Division title game at Contreras High.

Knights sophomore Israel Sandoval has a hat trick, and his third goal, which came in the waning minutes of the half, gave SOCES its first lead of the game.

Luis Suarez and Jorge Avila scored for Elizabeth. Suarez narrowly missed a second goal, as his free kick from 30 yards out hit the top of the crossbar.

And scoring is just the half of it. SOCES has already received three yellow cards for its physical and sometimes chippy play. But the Knights, despite their lead, are struggling to keep pace with the speedy Bulldogs.

Which is why Elizabeth has been on the receiving end of elbows, knees and a few questionable tackles.

-- Mike Terry