Aragon gets back on track, drubs El Camino

Coming off a disheartening 3-1 loss to Capuchino last Friday, the Aragon High boys' soccer team knew it needed to rebound in a big way. On Wednesday, that's exactly what the Dons did. Host Aragon routed El Camino 4-0 in a Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division match. The Dons (4-1-0 PAL Ocean, 7-4-0 overall) received two goals from their playmaking forward, Dillian Donev, one from Ranier Plantinos and an own goal from El Camino (0-4-1 in league) in the 75th minute. Donev's value to Aragon was never more evident than in the Capuchino contest. The senior was forced to sit out the match after accumulating three yellow cards in team's first three division matches. The Dons weren't nearly the same team without him. "As a coach, it was disappointing because you would like to see your team respond better without your best player," Aragon coach Forest Brazil said. "Dillian has to learn how to control his emotions and has to realize the difference between being selfish and unselfish. We were very nervous (against Capuchino), and Dillian not being there affected us mentally. But give it to Cap -- they went out and got after us and scored two highlight reel goals on us. So it was nice to get back on the winning track today." Despite drubbing El Camino, Aragon was actually shaky defensively early on. The Colts came out strong and had four excellent chances to score in the first half. Mike McNab had three of those opportunities, the best coming on a quick turnaround shot in the penalty area that went wide right minutes before halftime. McNab also had a one-timer that went wide right in the 5th minute and five minutes later had a rebound attempt deflected away by Aragon goalkeeper Carlos Lopez. While the Colts couldn't finish, the Dons had no problems putting the ball in the net. Aragon got on the board in the 30th minute. Fabian Contreras was heading down the right flank when he sent what looked to be a harmless ball to the front of the El Camino goal. But the Colts failed to clear the ball, and Donev came rushing in to tap the ball to the opposite post, a thank you goal if there ever was one. Aragon struck again in the 50th minute when Plantinos took a cross from Javed Sahib and one-timed a volley for a 2-0 lead. Moments later, Donev drew a penalty kick after being taken down in front of the El Camino goal. Donev was marked on the play but as was the case for most of the game, he dribbled his way around anyone who was on him. Donev then converted the penalty kick and the Dons were rolling. While Aragon got stronger as the game went along, El Camino faded. The Colts always play tough under coach Ken Anderson, but they seemed to lose energy after Aragon went up 2-0. The Dons were at their best sending the ball wide on the flanks, then working the ball toward the middle of the field. "That's when we had the greatest success," Brazil said. "I shouldn't have to tell the guys that because they know what to do. We do have gaps in a game when we're inconsistent and vulnerable to allowing goals. We'll have to improve in that regard to reach our goals." Before the league season started, Brazil said this was probably the most talent Aragon has had in a decade. The Dons know losing to Capuchino cut down on their margin for error in their quest to win the Ocean Division championship. However, Aragon can make up for that defeat with a solid performance against South San Francisco on Friday. In no particular order, the Warriors, Dons and Westmoor are the top contending teams for the title. "We finally have a nice mixture of seniors and underclassmen who are very talented," Brazil said. "I have trust in all 11 guys on the field."