SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO >> The JSerra boys soccer team had opportunities off multiple set pieces throughout the first half and into the second of its CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinal against Villa Park on Friday at JSerra High School.
JSerra didn’t convert on any of them.
That is until Rocco Bon’s free kick curved directly into the goal in the 55th minute to give the Lions a 1-0 victory.
JSerra players celebrate as they beat Villa Park 1-0 in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra’s Sean McTague takes a shot against Villa Park in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra fans rush the field as Rocco Bon, left, scores from the side against Villa Park in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park’s Carlos Santamaria gets a yellow card while playing JSerra in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park’s Saul Maldonado blocks a kich by JSerra’s Sean McTague in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra’s Eric Riegelsberger heads the ball in the center against Villa Park in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park’s Alan Leon and JSerra’s Colm Cohen battle for the ball in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park’s Joe Sawamura blocks the ball from JSerra’s Reagan Heslin in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra’s Keenai Braun is caight between Villa Park defenders as he tries to score in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park’s Carlos Santamaria blocks the ball as JSerra’s Jake Tatch tries to score in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park’s Pedro Delgado keeps the ball from JSerra’s Andy Garcia in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra’s Sidney Dina takes a shot against Villa Park’s Jesus Sanchez in the CIF-SS Division 1 boys soccer quarterfinals at JSerra High school Friday, February 18, 2022.
JSerra won 1-0.
(Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
The Lions (16-3-1), who are ranked No. 6 in the division, will play on the road against No. 2 Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach in the semifinals Tuesday.
The Mustangs defeated Fullerton, 3-1, in the quarterfinals Friday
Bon made the free kick from close to the left sideline, about 25 yards from the goal.
“I was just thinking if this goal goes in, we close out the game and we’re good,” Bon said.
The senior midfielder kicked an arcing line drive that sailed high before dropping into the upper right corner of the goal.
“I heard all the fans yelling my name,” Bon said. “It pushed me. I have to score this now. I just hit it back post, just hoping it would go on frame and it went on frame and it went in.”
The Spartans (20-5-1), winners of the Crestview League, had chances after Bon’s goal.
Villa Park’s Mason Shorthall made a nice cross from the left sideline to Mark Rayo in front of the goal.
Rayo got off a kick, but the ball was blocked by a JSerra defender.
Villa Park then had an opportunity on a corner kick but the Lions were well organized and were able to clear the ball, taking away any chance for the Spartans to score off a rebound.
“We had a couple of nice chances to score,” Villa Park coach Fidel Alatorre said. “They’re (the Lions) a good program.”
The Lions, who finished second in the Trinity League behind Servite, will be playing in a semifinal for the first time in coach Erik Kirsch’s six-year tenure at JSerra.
Kirsch was happy to be advancing, but said his team will need to be more composed and make fewer turnovers in the semifinal.
The Spartans were competing in Division 1 for the first time, after reaching the Division 3 semifinals last season and advancing to the state tournament the past three seasons.
“We actually put this program in Division 1,” Alatorre said. “We gave them a run for their money. I’m proud of the program and I’m proud of the kids.”
