Banning Blitzes Pali High Boys Soccer

The boys soccer team posted seven shutouts and allowed a total of 15 goals all season, an average of less than one goal per game, heading into Wednesday's quarterfinal playoff game.

There was nothing to foreshadow the Dolphins' defensive lapses in a 6-1 defeat to Wilmington Banning that brought an abrupt end to their promising postseason run.

Yielding only 15 goals in 20 games prior to Wednesday, fifth-seeded Palisades (14-2-5) gave up two goals in the first half and four more in the second half to the No. 4-seeded Pilots (12-2-2), champions of the Marine League.

As if trailing by two goals at the break wasn't enough of a mountain to climb, the visiting Dolphins dug an even deeper hole for themselves two minutes into the second half when sophomore sweeper was red-carded, forcing Palisades to play a man short for the remainder of the game.

About three minutes later, Peter Velazquez scored the second of his four goals and suddenly Banning had a 3-0 advantage. Owen Yan tallied a goal in each half for the Pilots, who have netted 18 goals in their three playoff games.

Only a well-placed header by co-captain from a throw-in by junior defender in the second half kept the Western League champion Dolphins from a complete shut out. Junior goalkeeper had a busy day, making a season-high of 10 saves.

It is the second consecutive year that Palisades lost in the City quarterfinals. Last winter the Dolphins fell at a home game to Locke, 3-1. The Dolphins have won 23 games and lost four times in the last two seasons under Head Coach Dave Suarez.  

Banning advances to the semifinals to face 17th-seeded West Adams Prep (13-3-5) next Monday at 3 p.m., with the winner earning a berth in the championship game March 5 at Contreras Learning Complex.