Lesson learned for Burks’ boys

COSTA MESA — The Estancia High boys’ soccer team is still looking for its first win of the season.

Estancia (0-1-1) lost 2-0 to the defending CIF Southern Section Division I champion, Santa Margarita, Monday afternoon.

“It was a learning game,” Estancia Coach Gannon Burks said. “This is the preseason and they’re Division I returning champs, so the preseason is to help us get ready for league. We’re a Division III team. I wanted to schedule a lot harder preseason to get us ready for what’s important.”

Junior midfielder Austin McAnena scored with just 15 seconds left in the first half to give Santa Margarita (1-0) a 1-0 lead. McAnena took a pass from junior midfielder Ryan Canty, and sent it just over the right shoulder of Estancia’s freshman goalkeeper Edgar Vega.

Santa Margarita was at a slight disadvantage in the first half. Since Estancia was defending the west goal, Santa Margarita was playing into the setting sun. By halftime, the sun had set, but Estancia was unable to take advantage of the change in light after they switched goals.

“Having the sun in your eyes makes a difference,” Santa Margarita Coach Curt Bauer said, “especially on the goalkeepers and the guys trying to head the ball. When the ball gets up there, that’s when it gets really tough to see, and you get it in the face, or a bad spot. But it’s hard on both teams, ‘cause they’re trying to win the header, too.”

Santa Margarita struck again in the 76th minute. Senior forward Casey Wootan drove up the middle and Canty scored off his pass. Canty kicked the ball into the goal just as Vega was coming up to defend the attack.

“Ryan Canty had an assist and a goal, and this is his first varsity game, which is great for a new kid to come in and do that,” Bauer said. “Estancia is a good team in that they always battle hard and they play clean, and it’s just always a good game.”

Santa Margarita opened the season last year against Estancia and walked away with a 2-2 tie.

Estancia had a shot at tying the game with a second-half direct free kick, but junior Jose Reyes’ kick was too high and went over the left side of the goal.

Part of Santa Margarita’s success has been attributed to the team’s high ratio of premier club players.

“They have a lot of club players that play together a lot for many, many years, so they’re probably going to be a little bit better, but I thought we did a great job,” Burks said. “I think that club is a powerful tool for soccer. I haven’t been in this for long, but I’ve heard a lot of the college coaches look at the club players more so than high school.”

Two players, one from Santa Margarita and one from Estancia, got into a heated argument that almost came to blows, but neither was penalized. The referee admonished both players and literally forced the two to hug and make up. The senior midfielder/forward from Estancia sat out for the rest of the match. The senior midfielder from Santa Margarita played through the duration of the match.

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be reached at (714) 966-4613 or at soraya.mcdonald@latimes.com.