In their last match up for the league, El Modena played against the Villa Park Spartans in a game that left the fans in great anticipation.  The first half of the game began with both teams playing strong as each seemed to be going for the first goal of the game.  In the 8th minute of play, El Modena senior midfielder Miguel Palacios powerfully kicked in a goal from a steep angle at the edge of the field. 

El Modena, up by one, continued to play solid defense as Villa Park kept the ball on their offensive end for periods of time.  Eight minutes after the first goal of the game, senior Adam Olson scored for Villa Park off of a penatly shot which tied the game 1-1.  

With the first half ending in a tie, it was evident that every play in the second half would count towards gaining the winning lead. 

As the clocked ticked away towards the conculsion of the game, neither team was able to pull off a scoring shot.  El Modena’s shot choices became less aggressive as the half continued, yet their defense and ball handling remained excellent which helped keep Villa Park from scoring.   However, this scoring void ended late in the game as Villa Park junior Alex Fitchen darted towards the goal and knocked in the tie breaking point for the Spartans. 

This lead that Villa Park took revamped El Modena’s realization that a goal is necessary to stay in the game.  Quickly moving the ball back up the field, El Modena tried to get last goal in the game; however, they were unsuccesful in this attempt.  As the crowds went wild, Villa Park took home the victory with a 2-1 win over El Modena.

The league standings for each team after this game remain the same, with El Modena taking 1st and Villa Park taking 3rd in the league.

“League placing wise this win doesn’t do much, but momentum wise its huge” Villa Park coach Michael Stauber explained. 

“We just won five games in a row, so that’s pretty good momentum to carry into the playoffs.”

The first round of CIF playoffs will begin a week from Saturday. Both Villa Park [who has not advanced out of the first round in four years] and El Modena will be advancing to CIF.

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