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BOYS’ 3-4 GOLD DIVISION:

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COSTA MESA — The Lakers had Shaq and Kobe and the Bulls had Jordan and Pippen.

The third- and fourth-grade Carden Hall boys’ gold division team introduced another dynamic duo to the sports world at this year’s Daily Pilot Cup: the Campos twins, Dylan and Travis.

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Carden Hall, who outscored teams, 30-4, in five games of the tournament, was led by Travis Campos’ five goals Sunday and defeated Whittier, 7-1, in the gold division’s final match at the Costa Mesa Farm Complex. The Eagles won their second straight title.

“He’s a special player,” Carden Hall Coach Mike Sanchez said of Travis Campos. “He and his brother found each other on a lot of the balls [Travis Campos] scored on. Along with my little guy, Mark [Sanchez], those three just played together. It’s just amazing to watch.”

Dylan Campos, in addition to the assists, also had one goal in the contest.

But it wasn’t just the Campos twins. Whittier Coach Gabriel Nieto said the entire Carden Hall was special.

“[Our] kids never thought that they were going to play against a tough team — [in regards to] weight and height,” Nieto said. “It was a disadvantage because we played soft and they played aggressive.”

The aggressiveness Nieto talked about was displayed in the first 10 seconds of the game.

Carden Hall started the game with the ball and after four passes, a couple dribbles and a kick from Travis Campos’ foot, the Eagles were up, 1-0. Travis Campos went on to score the next three goals in the first half.

Mark Sanchez connected on a penalty kick for Carden Hall’s last goal.

“They are just a level above everyone in this tournament — they were the cream of this crop for sure,” Sanchez said of the Campos twins. “They were impossible to stop.”

However, the strength and height of Carden Hall led to a physical game that led to many of the Whittier fans and coaches frustrated at the referee.

“There were two plays — I understand [Carden Hall’s] playing physical and all, but [they] should’ve been called differently,” Nieto said.

The two plays Nieto talked about resulted in two of Whittier’s players laying on the ground after a challenged play. One was carried off the field, but was OK enough to come back and play.

“Our guys were quicker so [Whittier] would have to throw their bodies at us and — of course they are going to get hurt because they’re throwing their bodies as fast as they can,” Mike Sanchez said. “They got behind us a lot. We were quicker to the ball and that’s what happens.”

Both coaches implied no malicious intent was behind all fouls called, or physical plays, in the match.

Nieto added his players never gave up and kept their heads in the game. Whittier’s Juan Casa erased a shutout from Carden Hall’s goalkeeper Ronan Ferentino despite trailing 7-0 late in the second half.

“I want to tell the boys they played good,” Nieto said. “They put a lot of effort to come to this level and hopefully see them again next year.”

Mike Sanchez also said positive comments about his squad.

“We were a big offensive scoring team, but our defense was just phenomenal this whole tournament,” Mike Sanchez said. “There are a lot of unsung heroes on this team. It was awesome coaching them and these are the things you remember for a long time. It was a very special team.”

Carden Hall roster: Dylan Campos, Travis Campos, Mark Sanchez, Cole Dandeneau, Max Morris, Chase Dugan, Kelly Holgate, Sam Leaman, Zack Blaine, Devin Parker, Ronan Ferentino

Whittier roster: Alex Alvizo, Alexander Avila, Alvin Manicilla, Elver Jimenez, George Martinez, Javier Flores, Jesse Camamo, Jorge Sandoval, Jose Gallegos, Juan Casa, Miguel Sanchez, Oael Ieyra, Oscar Davila, Raul Guerro


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