Daily Pilot Cup: Rea blanks Adams

COSTA MESA — At around 5-foot-9, Jacob Ruelas already towers over all the other kids on the field at the Daily Pilot Cup.

But on Wednesday afternoon at Costa Mesa High, Ruelas showed Adams that he had the big leg to match.

Ruelas scored on a long direct free kick in the 13th minute, helping spur the Rea fifth- and sixth-grade silver division boys to a 3-0 victory.

The kick was so long, at around 40 yards straightaway, but Rea Coach Brian Garrido was confident. Garrido, a sophomore at Newport Harbor High, has seen Ruelas make shots like those in practice all the time. Sure enough, Ruelas nailed it, and it went off the Adams goalie’s fingertips and in for the opening score of the game.

“I was confident I could make it,” Ruelas said. “At my school, I can make it from half-field.”

Jose Perez and Chris Martinez added second-half goals for Rea, which had a bit of trouble getting to the game. Minutes before the game time of 3:45 p.m., Rea had only four players at the field, but the rest showed up just in time.

“We didn’t have a ride,” Perez said. “We called a couple of friends to see if they could give us a ride, and we found one.”

David Coreas and Juan Colin were solid defenders for Rea, and gaolie Jose Macias made six saves.

They needed to be on their game, as Adams earned numerous scoring chances.

Adams’ best chances were created by one of the shortest players on the field, Carlos Navarro, a direct contrast to Ruelas.

But Navarro got some good shots off.

Adams also had good runs by forward Anthony Banos and midfielder Michael Patron was always around the action.

Goalie Jacob Pacheco had four saves.

Enrique Escovedo, Adrian Plazola, Jorge Delgado, Luis Baltazar, Ulises Rodriguez, Edwin Monory, Christian Morales, Izar Luna and Uriel De La Cruz all contributed for the Sharks.

Garrido is a Daily Pilot Cup veteran; he played for Rea in 2004 and ’05. His team is one of five Rea teams in the fifth- and sixth-grade division, and he said he likes his squad’s chances.

Rea plays next at 5:45 p.m. Friday at Costa Mesa High, against Kaiser.

Adams plays at 5:45 p.m. today at Costa Mesa High, also against Kaiser.

Ruelas has the goals to match his height.

“I think our team can make it to the finals and win the championship,” he said.