The562’s high school soccer coverage for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Long Beach Poly soccer alum Kennedy Justin
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Moments before Lakewood senior Michael Gutierrez scored the only goal of the Lancers’ 1-0 victory at Wilson on Wednesday evening, the Wilson bench issued a warning to their defenders.
“Don’t allow that long ball through!”
It was the correct advice, just a few moments too late. Gutierrez had already slipped behind the Wilson back line, racing up the right wing, and was 1-on-1 with a charging Wilson goalkeeper. The senior striker took advantage of the opportunity, sliding the ball between the keeper’s legs and into the back of the net, for what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Lancers.
“That was our game plan was to attack one side and then switch it to the other side to me, so I could use my pace and score,” said Gutierrez. “When I was one-on-one with the keeper, he did a good job at being big. But then I saw his legs were open, so I took the opportunity, and shot it through his legs and I just prayed.”
After Gutierrez’s prayer was answered, the Lancers held onto that 1-0 lead at halftime, and the intensity of the match hit new heights over the final 40 minutes.
With both sides battling hard, there were a plethora of whistles in the second half, with 20 of the game’s 31 fouls coming during that second half. There were also eight yellow cards issued over that final 40, as Wilson was desperate to find an equalizer and Lakewood was just as aggressively seeking a second goal.
Lancers head coach Alex Diaz admitted that his team wasn’t always a strong second-half side, but they didn’t show it on this night as they were able to generate the better looks after half and matched Wilson’s intensity in another high-energy Moore League contest.
“This is a very experienced young team,” said Diaz of his group. “I have 22 guys on my roster, and 18 guys who’ve been with me since their freshman year … I told my guys, all we need is to fight. We need to compete. Be the smartest guy on the field, but you need to find a way to compete. And they found it. I don’t know where they got it from, but they found it. I’m very proud of them.”
In truth, the Lancers were closer to adding a second goal than the Bruins were to an equalizer, though both generated a decent number of chances in the second half. Lakewood keeper Pol Luna had six saves on the night to keep a clean sheet for the Lancers.
The host Bruins did put up 10 shots, and had an early scoring chance that never got the chance to materialize. In the 10th minute, Wilson forward Casey Pettyjohn intercepted a pass between Lakewood defenders and would have had a one-on-one against Luna. He was coming from an offside position, and the assistant referee’s flag went up, but since the ball was played by the opposing team, Pettyjohn should have been able to play on and have a look toward goal.
The final scoring chance of the night came for Lakewood in the 84th minute, as Gutierrez was able to escape his double team and get on the end of a through ball from Joseph Ramos. That set up another great chance for Gutierrez against Ramirez, only this time the goalkeeper shut the door for an impressive save to keep the score at 1-0.
It was a key result for Lakewood, who were coming off a disappointing home loss to Millikan on Monday. So far in league play, the Lancers are 1-2 at home and now 3-0 on the road in their pursuit of an automatic playoff spot, and potentially more.
“I think our team is doing good,” said the senior Gutierrez of where the team is at right now. “We should have won the games at home, but our emotions got to us. I think we’re gonna pick it up from now on and finish every game to get the Moore League championship.”
Lakewood (12-6-1, 3-2) will be back in action on Friday at Jordan. Meanwhile, Wilson (6-7-5, 3-2-1) will be at Huntington Beach on Friday and return to league play next Wednesday when they host Jordan.
