The Los Altos boys soccer team got a late winner Tuesday over Mountain View thanks to a goal from midfielder Walter Guzman, moving the Eagles into a tie for first place in the SCVAL De Anza Division.
The victory over Mountain View is the first rivalry win for Los Altos since the 2022-2023 season, and Los Altos (12-2-1) and Mountain View (10-2-2) are now tied at the top of the SCVAL De Anza Division at 6-2 with six league games remaining.
“That’s how important this game was, only on the numbers side, but obviously on the personal side, as we all know… it’s always going to be a rivalry,” Los Altos soccer coach Roberto Magellan said.
The game was tied 1-1 with just three minutes left in the second half when Guzman scored his timely goal. The play started with left winger Dylan Po taking on a player and crossing the ball near the box for midfielder Jack Walton, who dummied the ball for Guzman, making a late run from midfield. Walton let the ball go after Guzman shouted he was behind him with open space to make the shot. The junior midfielder shot it with his weaker left foot into the right corner, slotting in the eventual game-winning goal.
“We just wanted to win this game to keep going on in the season,” Guzman said after the game. “We just want to win league, that’s our goal.”
Los Altos put the game away after Guzman scored, thanks to a goal from senior midfielder Jack Walton, who scored in extra time to make it 3-1. While the scoreline showed a comfortable victory, the match was close throughout. Los Altos opened the scoring with a goal in the second half from fullback Ethan Ling with 38 minutes left. Ling volleyed home a shot in the box after a header from forward James Taylor found its way to Ling. Mountain View responded with a long-range effort from midfielder Cyrus Shafie into the right corner with 17 minutes left to make it 1-1. Both teams had chances to score before Guzman got the game-winner.
With both teams now tied for first place, every game will be magnified moving forward as the two teams chase a league title. Mountain View has won the SCVAL De Anza Division for the last two years, and Los Altos came in second place last season. Magellan noted everyone on the team, not just the 11 starters, would need to be up to par and step up when they play to keep the game winnable and ensure consistency for the rest of the season.
“The key for us to win league is how strong our bench is going to be,” Magellan said.
Los Altos plays away at Homestead (9-2-2) at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Homestead is tied for third in league play at 4-2-2. Mountain View hosts Los Gatos 6 p.m. Thursday.
