MV-LA Fireballs bounced from Far West Regional

By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

Published on 07/07/1999

The Mountain View-Los Altos Fireballs couldn't beat the heat or the La Jolla Nomads June 24 in the quarterfinals of the Far West Regional.

The Fireballs, an under-19 CYSA men's soccer team, suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands - or rather the feet - of the Nomads in a game played in 100-degree heat in Bakersfield.

The hot weather only made things harder on the Fireballs, who had to face the two-time defending national champion Nomads with just two reserves.

"Having only two subs definitely hurt us," coach Alberto Montoya said. "At times, three guys wanted to come out. It was so hot we couldn't keep up."

The Nomads' goal came in the last minute of the first half on a one-on-one with Fireballs goalkeeper Stephen Gardner. Montoya said the Nomads appeared to be off-sides on the play - and many of his players agreed - but the referees ruled otherwise.

Regardless, the Fireballs had their chances to even the score in the second half. Montoya said they had four or five good shots on goal, the best one by Ivan Peragine in the opening minute. The Bellarmine Prep graduate fired a shot into the upper right corner of the goal, but the Nomad goalie deflected it with the tip of a finger.

If the Fireballs had all 16 of their players, Montoya said the outcome would have been different. In fact, the team probably would still be playing.

"All three missing players were starters," the coach said. "With them, I think we would have won the whole thing."

That would have meant a trip to Indianapolis for this month's Final Four. Instead, the Fireballs can only wonder what would have been if injured players Jacob LeBlanc (shin splits), Matt Domingo (hernia) and Scott Gillman (groin) had played.

Considering the circumstances, however, Montoya said he's pleased with the Fireballs' performance.

"I didn't expect to get as far as we did," the Mountain View resident said. "Everyone who played tried hard and gave a great effort."

The Fireballs opened the Far West Regional with a 3-0 loss to Colorado Rush Nike on June 21. They bounced back the next day with a 5-2 win over Albuquerque United. Then on June 23, the Fireballs edged Washington F.C. 3-2 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Detroit product Cesar Barra was the Fireballs' leading scorer in the tournament with three goals - including a 30-yard shot against Washington. Other key players, according to Montoya, were Gardner and fellow Los Altos High grad Mike Ruccolo. Gardner made some stellar saves in goal and also scored a goal against Washington when the coach moved him to forward. Ruccolo "played outstanding defense," Montoya said.

This marked the third year in a row that the Fireballs have qualified for the Far West Regional, which brings together the top club teams from 14 states.