Cabrera displays zero mercy

COSTA MESA ? Do not expect California Elementary’s Danny Cabrera to sympathize with the opposing team’s goalkeeper just because he plays goalie every game.

Cabrera had no qualms shooting a penalty kick in for the decisive goal in California’s 3-1 win over Adams Elementary in the first game of the Daily Pilot Cup in boys’ fifth- and sixth-grade Silver Division on Tuesday at Costa Mesa High.

Cabrera scored two goals and made two saves in the first half.

“We need to be aggressive,” Cabrera said. “We have a really good team.”

The first half started with both offenses on the attack. California forward Anthony Pastrana tried an unsuccessful bicycle kick. Then Pastrana’s teammate, forward Brad Wilson, fired a shot from 25 yards out that flew in just below the crossbar for a 1-0 lead.

“For our first game, we did great,” Wilson, who plays football and basketball as well, said. “If we play our best and we are having fun, that’s what’s important. I like the aggressiveness of soccer. It’s fun to play.”

Cabrera made a diving save and midfielders Colin Moran and Miguel Florentino swooped in to clear the ball away.

California Coach Noe Cabrera, Danny Cabrera’s father, praised the duo of Moran and Florentino for their help on defense throughout the game.

Moran, who is also a surfer, was sporting his trademark red head band.

“It helps keep my hair out of my eyes,” Moran said. “I like running and scoring goals.”

Moran added that he enjoys playing midfielder because “you don’t have to go up all of the way to score and you get to pass the ball around.”

Adams’ goalkeeper Alejandro Lopez made a diving save to end the half, one of his seven on the day.

In the second half, Moran made a move in front of the goal and stole the ball on a breakaway to prevent Adams from tying the score.

Shortly afterward, Danny Cabrera was fouled in the 18-yard box to set up a penalty kick which gave California a 2-0 lead.

Lopez prevented the lead from growing with a jumping save.

“I thought it would go in,” Lopez said.

Adam Ward, California’s goalkeeper in the second half, faced a one-on-one situation and came away with the save. He made two saves in the half.

Then Danny Cabrera, from 30 yards away, lobbed a shot over the goalie to give California a 3-0 lead. Florentino had grabbed the rebound and sent it outside to Danny Cabrera for the assist.

“I thought I kind of got it,” Danny Cabrera said of what he thought shortly after the ball took flight.

He used the same technique on the sideline but missed wide left.

“You just get excited, then you’re like aw man,” he said.

Adams ended the shutout bid when John Escobar dribbled through three defenders then passed to Devon Brady for the goal.

Midfielder Hayden Swift contributed to the defensive effort for California, but saw room for improvement.

“We have to work on our defense,” he said. “We might have a chance to win this. We’re just having fun.”

For Adams, Joel Serrano, Mario Flores and Henry Vasquez played well.