Madera South routs San Francisco visitors for Northern California boys soccer championship

Madera South High School finished off its impressive run to the Northern California Regional Division III boys soccer championship Saturday night by beating visiting Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep-San Francisco 4-2.

Madera South created several opportunities within the first 10 minutes behind top attacking players Abraham Vasquez, David Vasquez and Christian Garcia. David Vasquez got the first goal when he launched a bending shot from just inside the penalty area that nestled into the far corner of the net.

The Fightin’ Irish answered four minutes later to tie the game.

But Christian Garcia scored in the final minute of the first half, and then Abraham Vasquez and Arturo Zavala scored early in the second half to put the win away.

“This victory is important because we put Madera on the map,” Garcia said. “We’re a local school, public, and not a lot of people know us. We’ll go anywhere and play anyone.”

Coach Enrique Garcia said the Stallions’ season goal was winning a Central Section championship, which it did as the top seed.

“State just ended up having to be the cherry on top,” Garcia said.