Lindhurst soccer falls in section semis

Walking away from Dean Miller Stadium, Lindhurst's Erik Machuca reflected in the parking lot about what had just transpired on his home field.

With a chance to play for the section title on the line, the Blazers soccer team lost amid comfortable surroundings for the first time all season, falling 4-2 to Encina in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinals.

And despite the frustration, the junior standout gave credit to the Bulldogs and wished them luck in the finals.

"It looked like they wanted it more than us," he said.

In the eyes of his coach, that wasn't the case. For Eric Hoefler, the reason his team isn't headed to the finals is because of the referee.

"That's the worse officiating I've seen yet," the first-year coach said. "If you're going to blow it fair, blow it fair.

"I don't mind getting our butts handed to us, but I don't like the referee (affecting) the game."

In all, four of the game's goals were scored via penalty kicks, including both of Lindhurst's goals. Machuca belted in a low shot into the left-hand corner in the 26th minute after an Encina player touched the ball with his hands in the box. Gabriel Vasquez added the Blazers' other point after he was shoved in the back on a breakaway, allowing him to put a low roller in to tie the game at 2-2.

Over on the Encina sideline, the conversation about the officiating was moot. The Bulldogs, who were 1-3-2 at the midpoint of the season have now one seven of their last eight games and dropped a Blazers squad that entered the day with a record of 7-0-1 at home.

"We've been on a roll," Bulldogs coach John Buchmiller said.

Encina, a fellow Golden Empire League team that lost both of it's regular season games to the Blazers, first scored in the 15th minute on a play.

Wide open, with no Blazer defenders between him and the goal, Miguel Aguliar blasted a shot into the left-hand corner in the 15th minute. The play was reflective of the forwards' ability, which commanded multiple defenders.

"He's one of the best players in the area," Buchmiller said. "They had three-to-four guys on him and it opens it up for everybody else."

Then, with the score tied 2-2, Encina moved ahead when Julio Alvarez headed in a gorgeous cross from Leonel Ortega 25-yards out.

"We played horrible," Machuca said. "Our D wasn't working on their (midfielders)."