Campbell reaches first district final

October 24, 2018 at 12:09a.m.

Seven nationalities represented as Campbell reaches first district championship

CAMPBELL

Before Campbell soccer games, parent Michael Lisi hangs seven flags.

It takes that many flags to represent the different nationalities on the Red Devils squad: Columbia, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Greece, Italy and Mexico.

From the sidelines, a mixture of Spanish, English and Greek comes from the Campbell players and coaches.

“We’re so proud of ourselves because we’re representing our home,” Honduran striker Henry Mejia said with some translating help from teammate Shaneira Garcia. “People come out and support us even though we speak another language and are from another place. It’s really nice from Campbell.”

All the different backgrounds and languages came together for the best boys soccer season in Campbell history. On Tuesday, the Red Devils (15-3) advanced to the Division III district title game with a 2-0 victory against United. It will be Campbell’s first district title game.

“It’s an awesome feeling, it’s a great feeling for these guys and for our community,” Campbell coach Phillip Atsas said. “We have 15 seniors and I said to them ‘we’re on a mission. We’re on a mission to win the district finals but take one game at a time.’ We have three games and this was game No. 2.

“Well, now we’re on to the final.”

Atsas, who’s in his second year in charge in his second stint after coaching the team in the ‘90s, said the international mix helps.

“Soccer is in every country and it definitely adds flavor, no doubt,” Atsas said. “These kids have to mix and put it together. That’s the real world.”

Campbell went up two minutes into the contest when Mejia fired a screamer from the left wing far from the goal, arcing in a way that made it impossible for United goaltender Noah Brieck to stop the ball from finding the upper right corner of the net.

“I like to make far goals,” Mejia said. “With the great pass [from Ariel Dimas], it was possible.”

Mejia had another moment of brilliance in the first half when he evaded two Eagles by faking out one and nutmegging the other in one move, prompting cheers from the Campbell sideline.

Guatemalan midfield Victor Orozco later scored from the penalty spot early in the second half to complete the game’s scoring. The midfielder made an impact after miss last year’s district semifinal — a 6-0 loss to United — because he had a red card in the previous game.

“I have no words. I’m just so happy to be apart of this win,” Orozco said through Garcia.

Orozco covered a lot of ground for the Red Devils. His primary role is to be an attacking midfielder, but he could be seen in every third of the field, charging up both wings and near the end of the game as United mounted his final attacks, the guy wearing the captain’s armband was helping his back line. It’s a step up from playing more exclusively as a defender last year.

“I feel better. I feel like I can make more goals and make more passes than I would as a defender,” Orozco said. “I get more action.”

United (12-4-2) goes home disappointed after finishing last season as a regional semifinalist. The Eagles managed just two shots on goal that were cast aside by Miguel Gonzalez.

“We knew they were going to play through Henry Mejia. We knew that was their attack. Even with the goal, I thought my team rebounded and played well. I felt like most of the first half was our half,” United coach Curtis Jones said. “I thought we came out stronger in the second half and that penalty killed our momentum a little, but I still thought the second half was our half.”

“It was a good game on both sides. Campbell is a good team and I’m proud of the effort my boys gave.”

Briek made seven saves in defeat for the Eagles.