TIGERS TAKE TCAL TITLE

The Tokay boys soccer team defeated cross-town rival Lodi 3-1 on Tuesday, courtesy of three goals by striker Ivan Rosales.

But it was more than just a rivalry game for the Tigers, who had already clinched at least a share of the title, won the Tri-City Athletic League outright with the win. It’s Tokay’s first boys soccer league title since 1996.

Tokay coach Ruben Gomez, in his 28th year coaching Tokay’s varsity squad (he’s been co-coaches with Dale Strawn for the past three) was also at the head of the program for the last title.

“The kids nowadays, the whole team component, most of the kids have very good skills,” Gomez said. “Back then, most of the kids just played seasonal. Nowadays the kids play year-round with competitive teams, or even just Sunday league with uncles and cousins. Back then, you’d get four or five of them competitive, but most were seasonal.”

Lodi fell to 5-4-1 in TCAL play and 16 points, which after some help is good enough for the TCAL’s third playoff spot. West lost 1-0 to Tracy on Tuesday to fall to 5-5-0 and 15 points.

On Tuesday, Rosales put the Tigers up early, scoring on assists by Noah Schofield and Osvaldo Dominguez. The Flames refused to roll over, though, with Andrew Clemons lobbing a shot over Tokay goalkeeper Joel Luis just before halftime.

“We knew we kind of relaxed too much, and it was probably our coaches fault, me and Dale, we made too many substitutions,” Gomez said. “So we put some kids in that don’t really go in. That kind of threw the rhythm off.”

Rosales added another goal in the second half, courtesy of a Leo Ruiz assist, to put the game away.

“They were really excited. We haven’t won a league title since 1996, so they were very excited,” Gomez said. “So we said, OK, now you can celebrate. Until you guys get the title in your own possession, then you can celebrate.”

With Luis anchoring the defense from the box, the Tokay back line of Alejandro Andrade, Diego Hernandez, Luis Plaza and Nicholas Monteon has allowed just six goals in 10 league games.

Playing well for Lodi were Alex Oseguera, Sergio Gomez and Cesar Calderon. Lodi goalkeeper Hugo Solis blocked seven shots.

DAVID WITTE/ NEWS-SENTINEL Tokay goalkeeper Joel Luis (1) punches the ball away from danger after a corner kick during Tokay's 3-1 victory over Lodi on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at the Grape Bowl.

DAVID WITTE/NEWS-SENTINEL Tokay's Ivan Rosales (11) positions himself for the pass in front of Lodi defender Carlos Rodriguez. Rosales scored all three of Tokay’s goals.