Santa Ana Beats Orange in Mustang Invitational

Santa Ana Coach Manny Penaflor doesn’t want his team to be the No. 1-ranked boys’ soccer team in Orange County. But Penaflor might not have a choice after his undefeated and fifth-ranked Saints soundly beat top-ranked Orange, 2-0, Saturday to win the Trabuco Hills Mustang Invitational.

Senior forward Juan Reyes scored both goals for Santa Ana (9-0-2) and nearly had two more. The game was dominated by the left-footed Reyes and the Saint defense, which was led by junior sweeper Mario Gonzalez and senior goalkeeper Eddie Contreras, who recorded his fifth shutout.

Reyes scored his first goal 10 minutes into the game on a blast across the net from 20 yards that eluded a helpless Neil Van Zuiden. He scored again with seven minutes left to play from 10 yards.

Orange (9-1-2), the defending Southern Section Division II champion, has been ranked No. 1 all season, but the Panthers were flat from the start and had only six shots on goal.

“Santa Ana came out right off the bat and showed they wanted it more than we did,” Orange Coach Kevin Esparza said. “We just didn’t have it tonight.”

Orange was playing without sweeper Danny Califf, who was working out with the under-17 national team, but Esparza didn’t use that as an excuse.

“One player doesn’t make a team,” he said. “We just didn’t play together. We were too busy worrying about the referees and playing one-man soccer.

[And] When you’re No. 1, you have that big target on your chest.”

Now that target probably will be planted on the chests of the Santa Ana players.

“I’d rather be No. 9 or something,” Penaflor said. “You can motivate your kids a lot easier when you’re not No. 1. You have something to shoot for.”