Backup Goalie Saves Poly, 3-1

Behind eight saves by backup goalkeeper Eduardo Mesta and goals by Juan Vega, Mario Ceja and David Estrada, the Poly High boys’ soccer team beat Reseda, 3-1, Friday in a Valley Pac-8 Conference match at Reseda.

Poly (4-0-1, 4-0-1 in conference) moved ahead of Reseda (6-1-1, 4-1) into first place. Mesta was outstanding in his first varsity match, playing in place of regular starter Milton Larrama, who was ejected in the Parrots’ last match. Three of Mesta’s saves were on point-blank shots, and by the end of the match Poly fans were chanting his name.

“He was the best player on the field,” said Reseda Coach Julio Castillo, whose team closed to within 2-1 in the 49th minute on a penalty shot by Alex Acevedo.

Reseda finished the match two players short after Acevedo and Marvin Quijano were ejected in the second half for arguing with the referee. Poly’s Alex Miron was ejected late in the first half after fouling Acevedo on a breakaway.

“This was going to be the game to let us know how good we are,” said second-year Poly Coach Win Hainbuch. “The team feels they’re good enough to [win a City Section title] and I think with a few minor adjustments they have the potential to do that.”