COSTA MESA — The Rio Hondo Prep boys soccer team was one of the best Cinderella stories of the year coming into the CIF Southern Section Division 8 playoffs.
The team was loaded with football players who had just won their third consecutive section title on the gridiron in the fall.
The Kares proved they weren’t your typical underdog by knocking off Pacifica Christian of Orange County 1-0 in overtime in the Division 8 championship game Saturday at Orange Coast College.
Senior Easton Jara scored the winning goal with 51 seconds left in the first half of overtime to give Rio Hondo Prep its first CIF-SS title in boys soccer.
“It is indescribable,” Jara said about his immediate reaction. “It’s insane that we even got here in the first place. The amount of things we’ve had to overcome with our team. It’s insane. I can’t give credit anywhere else, but to my teammates and coaches.”
It’s been a remarkable year for Rio Hondo Prep (17-5-1). Most of the boys on the soccer team were big contributors to the football team that won the Division 5 title in the fall.
Jara served as the Kares’ kicker and punter on the football team.
“Next sport is baseball, we’ll see what that takes us,” Jara chuckled.
For Rio Hondo Prep coach AJ Corsini, it made things easier knowing he had the right type of players to work with.
“They’re good athletes. Football is a lot of their main sports,” Corsini said. “The heart of a champion, coming off a title in football. A three-peat. They know how to win. They know what it takes, no matter the sport. They’re going to give it everything they have. They’re gonna play and do their job as best they can and let the chip lie where they may.”
Pacifica Christian dominated the beginning of the match with its possession rate. The Tritons held the ball for over 75 percent of the first half, but the Kares managed to shake off their slow offensive start.
“I’ve known these guys my whole life,” Rio Hondo Prep goalkeeper Issac Guzman said, noting the confidence he has in his teammates.
Other teams, he said, “they start to break down when times get rough. But we just get stronger.”
Using set pieces, Rio Hondo Prep offered up a couple of legit opportunities on goal in the 20th and 29th minutes.
The Tritons dominated possession rate again in the second half, but they were unable to break the strong back line for Rio Hondo Prep.
Things took a turn for the worse for Pacifica Christian when Dean Soldon picked up a red card after sliding into Noah Penunri in the 76th minute.
Rio Hondo Prep took advantage and became a lot more aggressive with their attackers. Jara and senior Yanick Diaz kept the pressure high on the offensive end.
Jara’s game-winner came on a stellar run, where he freed himself up on the left side of the box and slotted it in with a shot that sliced into the right side of the net.
Related Articles
Santa Ana Valley soccer defeats Esperanza with 3-goal burst in Division 5 final Segerstrom girls soccer tops league rival Ocean View to win first CIF-SS title Los Alamitos boys soccer declared D3 champs after Calabasas finds violation Previews for Orange County’s CIF-SS boys soccer finals Saturday Previews for Orange County’s CIF-SS girls soccer finals Friday and Saturday
Hence then, the article about rio hondo prep boys soccer wins division 8 title in thrilling finish was published today ( ) and is available on The Orange County Register ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Rio Hondo Prep boys soccer wins Division 8 title in thrilling finish )
Also on site :
- How to Watch WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 Live Online for Free
- Wildfire burning near Chautauqua Park in Boulder
- Teenager in Irvine hazmat probe poses no threat, family lawyer says