Lions nip New Life

It wasn't "trading a tooth for a hat trick," as someone along the sideline suggested, but Spencer Iskikian scored three goals as the Faith Christian High boys soccer team held off visiting New Life Christian, 3-1, in a Sacramento Metropolitan Athletic League showdown on Tuesday.

"Believe me, we are very, very happy with the way we played," New Life coach Tony Lima said. "The last time we played them, they beat us 8-0."

"They improved drastically," Faith coach Robert Ripley said of the Crusaders (0-5-3, 0-5-2).

Iskikian's final goal drew blood — his own — as it first appeared he had lost a tooth after running into New Life goalie Brent Triplett.

"I headed the ball and then we collided," Iskikian related.

Instead of losing a tooth, he broke a fitting on his braces.

"It's a good thing his coach is a dentist," another spectator chimed in.

Iskikian came out after that third goal, which came six minutes into the second half, but it wasn't because he was hurt.

"Anytime someone scores three goals, I usually take them out," Ripley said. "I don't like running up the score."

There was no worry about that happening, as New Life packed the box on defense, making it hard for Faith (8-5-1, 6-2) to find a seam.

Iskikian was able to find the net just three minutes into the game when he took a cross from Cole Martin on the right wing and booted a slow roller just inside the right post.

Less than 10 minutes later, Iskikian, a freshman, found the cage again, somewhat by accident. It appeared as though Iskikian was trying to center the ball to a teammate from near the left sideline when he launched a perfect arch that saw the ball sail over Triplett's head and nestle into the upper right corner of the goal.

After those two quick goals, New Life's defense tightened, and while both teams played most of the first half on the Crusaders' side of the field, the Lions were never able to pad their lead.

Only a couple of times was New Life able to push the ball across midfield into Lions' territory, and one of those times the Crusaders scored just before halftime.

On that scoring play, a Faith fullback kicked the ball back to goalie Josh Hill, who was forced to kick it away to clear it. He muffed the kick, sending it straight to New Life's Mikie Delozier. With Hill out of position, Delozier had a wide open goal; he rifled the ball into the back right corner of the net.

A minute later, it was halftime.

"I told our kids at the half their kids were really going to be pumped up to start the second half," Ripley said.

In fact, New Life nearly had a goal or two in the second half. Late in the game, with the Lions goalie out of position, Tim Joiner was facing an open net when he pushed his shot just left of the post.

Except for Iskikian's third goal, the Lions never could find the net. Lima praised the play of goalie Triplett, who made several tough saves, including a pair of diving stops.

Sweeper Mike Ayala played well, while Joe Whitley did a good job of marking his man, Lima added.

Faith's sweeper, Zach Barnett, also had a solid game, coming up with several slides to steal the ball and thwart the Crusaders.

Late in the second half, Barnett was moved to forward.

"He keeps telling people he wants to score a goal," Ripley said, adding he normally switches Barnett with center midfielder Chris Villasenor at some point during games.

The fact Barnett played such a solid game was surprising because he was very sick, Ripley said, adding he missed school the day before.

"He really wanted to play today," a reluctant Ripley said.

Ripley admitted to playing somewhat of a conservative game because the Lions host Global Charter at 4 p.m. today in a make-up contest.

"We don't know anything about them," Ripley said. "They are a new school. I didn't want to risk anyone getting hurt."

Contact sports reporter Richard Myers at 749-4714 or rmyers@appeal-democrat.com