Members of the Ontario High School varsity soccer team celebrate after they defeated North Marion Tuesday, Nov. 8, to earn a trip to the state title game. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)
ONTARIO – The Tigers received a big game from Jaaziel Chavez and some last-minute heroics from goalkeeper Martin Benitez to defeat North Marion 1-0 Tuesday, Nov. 8, in a Class 4A boys semifinal game.
Ontario (13-1) will face the winner of the Phoenix-Henley game set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Chavez scored the game’s only goal with 11 minutes to play to give the Tigers the victory but North Marion had a chance to knot the game with under a minute to play on a penalty kick. Ontario goalkeeper Martin Benitez saved the win when he successfully scooped up the penalty kick and Ontario was on its way to its first soccer final.
Jaaziel Chavez (13) tries to outrun North Marion’s Aaron Rodriguez (8) to the ball during their game Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Ontario’s Pedro Aviles (11) collides with a North Marion player while teammate Hayden David (14) looks on during their game Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)The competition was intense during the playoff soccer game between Ontario and North Marion Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Ontario’s Marcos Bauer (12) battles for the ball with North Marion’s Josue Lomeli (18) during their game Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)A group of Tiger players – including Bryan Alejandro (22), Jamis Gonzalez (10) and Hayden David (14) close in on North Marion’s Adrian Vallejo (5) during their game Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Jamis Gonzalez (10) dribbles the ball downfield against North Marion Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Ontario’s Bryan Alejandro (22) and Pedro Aviles work to get the ball downfield against North Marion, Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Ontario’s Jaaziel Chavez (13) prepares to pass the ball during a game against North Marion, Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)The Ontario boys varsity soccer team celebrates after defeating North Marion, 1-0, Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)Confetti flies as the Ontario boys varsity soccer team celebrates their semifinal win over North Marion, Tuesday, Nov. 8. (The Enterprise/PAT CALDWELL)
EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM – Available for $7.50 a month. Subscribe to the digital service of the Enterprise and get the very best in local journalism. We report with care, attention to accuracy, and an unwavering devotion to fairness. Get the kind of news you’ve been looking for – day in and day out from the Enterprise.
