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Artero Scores Two as PHS Beats Northview
Pasadena Independent Dec 14, 2016
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The PHS soccer team. – Photo Courtesy of PUSD_ATHLETICS Twitter Account
By Christian Romo
Late in the second half, PHS senior Gamaliel Barrera (15) sent a looping throw-in towards the head of a Northview defender, eventually landing 25 yards away from goal in front of Edgardo Artero (11), who pivoted and rocketed a shot into the bottom left corner of the net for his second goal of the game. Barrera, whose teammates chastised him moments earlier, celebrated with Artero after being bailed out. “I meant to do that!” he yelled back to his sideline.
It wasn’t the only time a teammate was helped by the junior Artero, whose two goals and one assist powered PHS (5-1) past the Northview Vikings (2-3) 3-1 Tuesday night in Pasadena. Artero also connected with senior Jason Bautista (10) in the 17th minute off a give-and-go from the corner, drawing enough defenders to give Bautista an easy shot on goal.
“It was perfect, it was exactly how we designed it,” said Bulldogs head coach Cherif Zein of the set play. “We’ve been working on that for the past two years,” said Bautista, “and it worked perfectly right there.”
A goal off the head of junior Daniel Buenostro (11) in the 50th minute brought Northview within one score of tying, but the Bulldog defense held the Viking attack as Pasadena controlled possession for the rest of the game. “At times they passed well, I think we managed the ball pretty well,” said Zein.
Despite missing four starters, the Bulldogs got all the offense they needed from Artero, who accounted for all three of his team’s goals. “We do everything in practice, so I just memorized it,” said Artero of his assist on Bautista’s goal. When asked what his team was going to work on, he responded: “A lot of fitness, and a lot of passing. And a lot of movement.”
Bautista agreed with his teammate, saying: “We’ve been working on fitness most of all, but also finding ways to get to the ball and score more goals.” He added that building chemistry and improving their communication will improve their early offensive struggles.
Zein believes his defense needs to play more aggressively on set pieces, something that will develop as more players come back. And though he’s eager to return his missing starters, Zein praised ’s play: “Very good. Excellent. Player of the game, you know?”
The Bulldogs host the defending Rio Hondo league champion Monrovia Wildcats next Tuesday afternoon.
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