They’ll look to regroup in CIF Playoffs next week after Burroughs takes the Pacific League.
By Aimee YEGHIAYAN

Usually after the Falcons boys’ soccer team has a game that does not go as planned, the next game is won with a vengeance. For example, after their 1-0 loss against Arcadia on Jan. 18, the team came back Jan. 22 against Glendale, releasing all of their pent up frustration to win the game 5-0. Their 1-1 tie to Muir on Jan. 25 was followed by a 5-1 win against Burbank three days later.

This past week was definitely a change of pace for them. After a 4-1 loss against Burroughs on Feb. 1, officially No. 1 in the Pacific League for the first time since 2009, it was almost expected for the Falcons to come back to Pasadena on Tuesday and annihilate them. Unfortunately for the Falcons, that formula didn’t come into play, leaving them with a 1-1 tie.

Coupled with CV’s tie and Burroughs’ 4-2 win over Arcadia, Burroughs is the league champion, ending CV’s three-year reign.

The game started out with two attempted goals, the first by Pasadena blocked by Rani Dimashki and saved by goalkeeper Josh Cook, followed by an attempted goal for CV’s Joseph Yoo. A foul kick by Pasadena was saved by Cook, after a yellow card was given to Falcons co-captain Amir Hajimirsadeghi.

Pasadena was given a corner kick, which was blocked and headed out of bounds from between Cook’s hands. Another Pasadena corner kick moments later was headed out by CV. Following a yellow card on Pasadena’s Scott Schwartz, the Falcons attempted a goal, but were blocked by the Bulldog goalkeeper.

The second half began with a goal by CV’s Pablo Sotillo off a pass from Eric Kashishian, the first of the game. An attempted goal was kicked by Falcon Justin Wright, but was blocked by Pasadena.

The second half was filled with cards for both teams. A yellow card was given to Brian Ju of CV, removing him temporarily from the game. A foul on Wright by Bulldog Brendan Hildreth was followed by a yellow card on Dimashki. Pasadena attempted a goal, saved by Cook. Yellow cards were again given to Pasadena and to Falcon Tristan Pereira.

Finally, a Pasadena goal was scored on a direct free kick from the goal box against Cook, resulting in a 1-1 tie.

“I think that we played great yesterday,” said Falcon Pablo Hernandez on Wednesday. “Unfortunately a few mental lapses caused us to lose control of the game and end up tying.”

Maybe today’s game against rival Arcadia at 3:15 p.m. will be where they come to win, and win big, to secure second place. CIF playoffs games will be announced on Sunday.

UPDATE: The Falcons defeated Arcadia High School on Thursday, 2-1.

  Aimee Yeghiayan