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.
Lakewood High saw its run come to a cold end Tuesday night in a 2-0 loss to Pacifica in CIF-SS Division 4 quarterfinals.
The Lancers were on their heels for most of the windy night at home, allowing the go-ahead goal in the 52nd minute and the insurance score in the 62nd.
The Tritons were not the only adversary for the Lancers as a majority of the team was hampered by the flu, including multiple players out and a makeshift defensive backline that led to shaky moments and a lack of cohesion.
“We had three guys out because of the flu. So, we had guys in there that hardly played in those positions, right?” said Lancers head coach Alex Diaz. “This is part of the game. Unfortunately, we were on the bad side of it, but it’s the way it goes.”
Pacifica cracked the bend-don’t-break defense off a counter off a failed Lakewood free kick, junior Triton Luis Avalos setting up a pass to Mario Dominguez, who had plenty of time to create an opening for the go-head goal to the right side of the net.
It was Avalos again that helped create the second goal, drawing a yellow and prime free kick from 25-yards out. The set piece yielded a perfect volley into the box for a one-time finish from senior Noa Diaz.
It was a frustrating second half for the Lancers with two yellow cards and a red card from senior goalkeeper Luna Pol on a handball outside of the box in the 75th minute.
“They came out to play and we fell short, but [I’m] very proud of the guys on a good year,” said Diaz. “This is a good run. And the only four seniors. We have everybody coming back. So, I’m very excited about that.”
Lakewood’s best second-half chance came in the 67th minute off an impressive touch from Smith Husani to star striker Michael Gutierrez for the point blank shot on goal but met with a timely save from keeper Miguel Gonzalez.
Pacifica’s offense dictated the first half with a bevy of shots, including six on goal, two hitting off the left post. The first came on a low kick out of the Lakewood box that deflected off a player and went right to the foot of Avalos with the keeper Gonzalez in a bad spot. Avalos’ worm burner shot rolled towards an unsecured net but drifted just a little left to deflect off the post and keep it 0-0.
Lakewood only managed one shot in the first half but it was a dangerous one off a beautiful through ball from Gutierrez to a sprinting Ivan Flores up the right side. Flores broke loose for a one-on-one shot but Gonzalez made a sliding save.
Tuesday marked the end of a decorated senior group, including the prolific scorer Gutierrez, that powered a run to the Division 4 title game and the state bracket two seasons ago.
“[They] mean a lot. They put us back on the map from a CIF finalist, state finalist and just putting this high school back on the map,” said Diaz of his departing class. “I’m thankful for them and I love them. Just very thankful for them and their hard work and dedication to the program.”
