Centaurs beat up by injuries, top teams

Injuries and illnesses have gotten the best of the Culver City High School boys soccer team, which lost 1-0 last Friday to conference rival Santa Monica Vikings and to the Morningside Monarchs, 3-1, in a game on Wednesday of that week.

The Centaurs (2-7-4, 0-2 in league) spent much of the preseason shorthanded due to some injuries.

“Right now, we’re beat up,” Culver City head coach David Sanchez said. “We have some injuries and illnesses. We’re prepared and we were able to find the back of the net. We’ve been playing against class teams.

After losing all three matches in the South Torrance Tournament over the holiday period, Culver City started 2012 on the right foot with a 2-2 tie against host South Torrance and a 1-0 victory at Bishop Montgomery, also located in Torrance.

In the deadlock against the Spartans, who usually have a very strong soccer program, sophomore forward Ryan Armstrong scored both goals for the Centaurs.

Ernie Reynoso had one assist. Edgar Del Refugio recorded eight saves.

In the Centaurs’ win over the Knights, Oscar Diaz scored the game’s only goal off an assist from Rayburn Tilman. Refugio had five saves.

In the South Classic, the Centaurs suffered losses to Garey of Pomona, 1-0, Mira Costa, 3-0, and Redondo, 2-0.