San Luis beats Cibola in important region matchup
Sidewinders score game’s final 2 goals
Patience is a virtue. For senior striker Iann Topete, his poise on the offensive end this year for San Luis has been problematic for opposing defenders.
In Thursday’s 3-1 victory over No. 11 Cibola (7-3-1 AIA, 1-1-1 region), Topete showcased his ability to wait for the right opportunity
SL: 8-3 AIA, 2-1 region CHS: 7-3-1 AIA, 1-1-1 region
to strike.
Tied in a 1-1 game, Topete gingerly got behind the Cibola defense as Erik Viera dished off a beautiful cross, allowing Topete to knock in the goal and give the No. 8 Sidewinders (8-3, 2-1) a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute.
“That’s the difference for him between last year and this year,” San Luis coach Jesus Rojas said. “Last year he’d get frustrated when he didn’t score and missed opportunities to score. Now, he’s staying more patient and playing more upfront.”
Topete, who is 6A’s second-leading goal scorer with 19 (after scoring just five last year), himself has noticed a change in philosophy offensively. His mindset to focus more on saving his energy and becoming patient has helped San Luis’ offense score 39 goals in 11 AIA games this year (compared to 30 in 14 games last season).
“My mindset is on the net,” Topete said. “I just have to wait and be patient. I just have to have my mind on the goal.”
San Luis’ Robert Uribe continued the offensive dominance for the Sidewinders nine minutes later. The midfielder chased down a long pass and chipped a shot over the pursuing goalkeeper into the back of the net to give the Sidewinders the 3-1 victory. Erick Mejia began the night’s scoring with a goal in the fifth minute of the game to give the Sidewinders
an early lead.
“San Luis is a very athletic group,” Cibola coach Bryan Claudio said. “With the talent they have on that team, it’s very hard to stop. You have to game plan really well. Our guys did a good job of battling. For the most part, we did our jobs, but San Luis just capitalized on its chances.”
San Luis is riding a six-game winning streak, which includes two wins over in-town rivals Kofa and Cibola. The Sidewinders are oozing with confidence offensively, having