Boys’ varsity soccer kicked off their Freeway League opener with their third straight three-goal game with a 3-2 victory over visiting Troy High School on Jan. 6.
The win snapped Troy’s three-game win streak and lifted the Wildcats’ season record to 6-2, doubling their win total from last year’s 3-5-7 record.
From the opening whistle, the Wildcat offense kept the ball in Troy’s defensive third, registering 22 shots on goal, in contrast to the Warrior’s six.
Scoring goals for the Wildcats were strikers Michael Ingallinera (’25) and Anthony Aguirre (‘26), and center midfielder Max Velazquez (‘25).
“We have been working hard as a team on making connections, talking on the field, and taking shot opportunities,” Ingallinera, who has scored five goals this season, said.
Head coach J.P. Wilson applauded his team’s speed, technical skill, and shot power during the three game stretch in which the Wildcats have scored nine goals. “This team has an attacking threat that we haven’t had for many years,” Wilson said.
Velazquez scored the first goal of the game at the 12th minute, shooting a line-drive from 20 yards out into the bottom left corner of the Troy goal, off of an assist by Jonas Pearson (‘26).
“The last game was one of my best games so far. [I scored] off of a good pass from Jonas, and I thought to shoot, and it went in,” Velazquez said of the goal.
The 1-0 margin held until the middle of the half when Troy tied the game with a penalty shot caused by a hand-ball inside the 18-yard box.
After halftime, the Wildcat offense once again controlled the action. In the 55th minute, Ingallinera’s low shot skimmed past the Troy goalkeeper’s fingertips to put the Wildcats ahead, 2-1.
The Wildcats increased their lead when Aguirre used his head to blast the ball into the left corner of the net off of a corner kick in the 75th minute, increasing the Wildcats’ lead to 3-1.
Within two minutes, Troy counterattacked, managing to slip through a hole in the BOHS defense, resulting in a goal from a header off of a corner kick.
However, the Wildcats held on to their 3-2 lead in the remaining minutes of the game.
Commanding the defense was three-year varsity center defender Duke Noble (‘25), who capitalized on Troy’s mistakes, won back possession, and quickly distributed the ball to the offense.
“I feel like I played my very best and gave it my all throughout the game,” Noble said. “My team and I made adjustments that allowed us to take the win.”
BOHS has only allowed twelve goals through eight games this season, testament to the disciplined play of defenders Noble and goalkeeper Logan Shook (‘25).
The win against a talented Troy squad — Troy entered the game with eight wins against two losses and three ties — has boosted team morale.
“If we keep this up, I am confident we will do well in league and progress to CIF,” Ingallinera said.
The Wildcats play league rival Villa Park today at 3:00 p.m.
The Spartans are currently 2-0 in the Freeway League, and 8-2-3, overall. They defeated Troy on Jan. 8, 1-0.
The Spartans, like the Wildcats, are undefeated at home.
“Villa Park will be a very difficult opponent,” Wilson said, “but if we can beat them it’ll give us a really good shot in league.”
Ingallinera added, “We need to all be focused and dialed in. We need to play our game. If we work as a team and play at 110 percent, then we will win this game.”
