ONTARIO — The Ontario Christian boys soccer team faced a heartbreaking defeat against Taft in the CIF State Division V Southern California regional semifinal, losing 2-1 in overtime on March 5, 2024. Despite a strong season that included a state playoff victory, the Knights could not maintain their lead, allowing Taft to score a tying goal in the dying moments of regular time before clinching the win shortly after extra play began.
The match took a frustrating turn for the Knights when they surrendered a second-half lead for the second consecutive game. After a scoreless first half, Ontario Christian’s sophomore Benjamin Luistro found the net in the 58th minute, assisted by fellow sophomore Dominik Martinez. The Knights appeared to be on track for victory until Taft’s junior Lalo Lopez-Gonzalez struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time, equalizing just before the final whistle.
Knights coach Anthony Quintanilla reflected on the team’s journey, emphasizing the importance of valuing their achievements. “There’s an argument that this is one of the greatest teams Ontario Christian has had,” he stated. “I want them to know what they have to do now to get over the hump.” The loss marked the conclusion of a season filled with promise, as Ontario Christian finished with a record of 23 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw.
The Knights’ co-captain Jake De Corte, the only senior starter, acknowledged the disappointment of the outcome but remained proud of the team’s accomplishments. “The second most important thing to me was to finally get a CIF win under my belt. And we did it four times. I call it a very successful season,” he said.
After the late equalizer, Quintanilla worked to motivate his team for overtime. “Certainly, we were a little down, but I think we did a good job of rallying them up and getting them ready,” he noted. Unfortunately for Ontario Christian, the momentum quickly shifted back to Taft. Just a minute into overtime, Lopez-Gonzalez scored again, sealing the Knights’ fate.
The fifth-seeded Taft team, with a record of 19 wins, 6 losses, and 6 draws, now advances to face third-seeded Garfield for the regional title. Meanwhile, Ontario Christian’s season concludes, but the future looks bright with only one starter graduating.
As both teams move forward, the Knights’ journey this season serves as a testament to their resilience and growth, setting a foundation for future success.
