It took a while for the fans of the boys soccer programs of Sunnyslope and Alhambra to revel in the regular season success the teams are presently experiencing.   

On Friday, their respective cheering sections had to wait a little longer than usual to really get off their seats. That’s what happens when two equally talented teams play to a scoreless draw in regulation.

But in the two overtime sessions, tired legs gave way to the scoring chances that raised the excitement level at Sunnyslope. And after 93 minutes had elapsed, a team finally scored.

Josias Ortiz’s adept right foot found the back of the net for the game’s only goal, helping keep Alhambra undefeated after 11 games. But Sunnyslope made Alhambra work for its scoring chances even after Alhambra played with a man advantage during the final 36 minutes of the match.

Ortiz had a couple of good scoring opportunities during the game, but some of his shots sailed high above the net or were blocked by Sunnyslope’s goalkeeper. On his goal from about 25 yards, Ortiz sent a low screamer to the far post for his 17^th goal of the year.

That set off a celebration from Alhambra’s fans, including the team’s bus driver.

“I actually wasn’t going to shoot,” said Ortiz about the goal scoring play. “But one of my teammates yelled out shoot, so I saw the space and took the shot.”

(Alhambra's Josias Ortiz)

A couple of minutes after the first goal, Ortiz and Huriel Escaracega worked well together during a counter attack that almost produced another goal.

But Escaracega’s short-range tap just missed going in. The speed and tenaciousness of Sunnyslope’s Sebastian Arrellano and offensive skills of Tucker Fenton kept Alhambra’s defense busy throughout the match.

Sunnyslope dropped to 10-3-1 overall, but it’s been more than 10 years since Sunnyslope won this many games.

“They are playing for each other,” Sunnyslope coach Trent Otis said about his team.

(Alhambra is 11-0.)