Calexico boy’s soccer advances to San Diego Section D1 title game

The one seeded Bulldogs looked dominant once again, but the win didn't come without some controversy

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Calexico boy's soccer (19-5-5) defeated Scripps Ranch (9-6-6) 2-0 at home to advance to the San Diego Section D1 championship.

It was a dominant win for the Bulldogs, who rarely surrendered any meaningful chances for the Falcons.

Head coach Javier Bernal knows his back line is what's propelled his team to this point.

"You've heard the saying that defense wins championships, and today is another proof of that," Bernal said.

Scoring opened up for Calexico in the first half, with a brilliant run from freshman Miguel Escamilla, who blew past Scripps Ranch's back line to create space for the shot.

Escamilla was a ball hawk all-game long, routinely winning challenges and creating other opportunities for Calexico.

"That's the kind of player any team would welcome," Bernal said.

Following a second half goal from sophomore Hector Berumen to make it 2-0, fireworks would go down between Bernal and the officials.

With about 16 minutes left in the game, one of the Bulldog players was given a yellow card.

Bernal then asked a sideline referee to allow time for the player to come off, per standard high school soccer rules.

The center referee then confronted Bernal and in turn began an argument between the two, leading to an initial yellow for Bernal which then escalated to a red.

"I don't know if he misunderstood or what happened, but you know he just started yelling and screaming about how I shouldn't be like that and I said 'I'm not talking to you i'm talking to your sideline ref,' and it escalated from there," Bernal said.

The team will now wait to see a decision from San Diego Section on if Bernal will be allowed on the sidelines for Saturday's championship game.

Awaiting Calexico in the final will be Point Loma, who beat the Bulldogs 2-1 back on Jan. 9 in San Diego.

Kickoff for the game is at 1:00 p.m PST at Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista, CA.