Late Goal Powers Saugus Girls’ Soccer Over Canyon

By Justin Vigil-Zuniga Signal Sports Writer

Saugus Centurions girls soccer dominated possession in the Jan. 10 home league battle with the Canyon Cowboys, but it would still take almost all 80 minutes to decide a winner.

Junior Sophia Ruys fired in the golden goal in stoppage time to lead Saugus to victory over the short-handed Cowboys.

Ruys scored the Olympico goal off a corner kick that swung in and just bounced off the hands of Canyon goalkeeper Makayla Charles. The junior was just looking to put the ball in play but ended up netting the sole goal in the 1-0 win for Saugus.

“I was not expecting to get it out of that cross,” Ruys said. “I was really looking for someone else but it worked out. I guess the winds helped me and were in my favor.”

Canyon (5-4-1, 3-3) was forced to play a fragment of the game down a player after forward Bailey Williamson picked up a pair of yellow cards.

Saugus (4-3-2, 4-0-2) controlled the game from the opening touch with a lopsided discrepancy in the possession battle.

However, Canyon had quick counters that led to numerous shots in the first half. The Cowboys couldn’t generate any quality looks to start the game but their midfielders made a ton of accurate passes to lead fast attacks.

The Centurions continuously worked the ball down the sidelines. Saugus’ quality looks increased as the half went on as the forwards kept piling on pressure.

Canyon made a goalkeeper substitution after 29 minutes. Cowboys’ goalie Debbie Roman entered the game for Charles and was tested immediately.

Saugus freshman Makea Leonard stole the ball after a sloppy goal kick from Roman. Leonard worked the ball up and fed a wide-open Aneesa Bolanos, who fired in a shot to the top right corner, but Roman was there for the save.

The keeper was tested again minutes later in the exact same spot but registered her second save on a shot from Centurion senior Bella Durazo.

Saugus was forced to finish the game without starting sophomore Emily Thompson, who exited the match early with a knee injury. Thompson was down for a few moments but as soon as the whistle blew, Canyon coach Leonardo Neveleff rushed out to assist the opposing player.

“Half of the soccer players here, I’m their coach for club,” Neveleff said. “Even if I’m not the coach of the club, all I care about is the athlete. I just want the best for the players and to have fun and learn more every game. I hate losing like everybody else, but at the same time I just want these girls to develop and reach their goals.”

Centurions midfielder Ashley Striegel nearly put her team up several times with a handful of deep shots just missing the net.

Canyon had nearly no chances in the second half. Saugus was determined to score and kept forcing the ball into the Cowboys’ territory.

“We try to keep the ball as much as we can but with the good players they have on top, we started to panic and the game plan changed,” Neveleff said.

Neveleff made the swap again to put Charles back in the game between the posts. The goalie didn’t need to make any saves in the first half but came alive for Canyon in the second.

Charles racked up three saves in the second half, including one on a relentless, late Saugus attack. The Centurions took three shots in one quick possession but deflections by the Canyon back line and Charles held Saugus scoreless.

Williamson picked up her second yellow card midway through the second half after a collision with Ruys. The two had plenty to say, whether it was to the referee or to one another. Ruys was also awarded a yellow card alongside her competitor Williamson, who exited the game.

“[Williamson is] really good,” Ruys said. “She’s always been a big threat playing against us. So I usually play forward but coach had me dropped back to play three to go against her. And I felt like I really shut her down and was able to basically get her out of the game because she got a red card. But she did play amazing and it was really tough going against her. But we really wanted to win.”

Ruys is normally on the attacking side but started the game at left back to slow down Williamson. Once her assignment was forced to exit, the junior was moved back into the attack and scored the game-winner.

The Centurions were in danger of finishing in their second consecutive scoreless draw. Ruys’ late goal kept her team unbeaten in league play and

See SOCCER, page 12 and do everything I can as a detective to make sure that those who are dangerous to the public get off the street and stay locked up, incarcerated or away from the public until they’re rehabilitated. I’m also in the business of looking at people’s lives and allowing them to make changes, and encouraging them to make changes.”

Barretto got Mayorga in touch with the station’s crime prevention unit and others who could help.

One individual connecting Mayorga with troubled gang members is L.A. County Sheriff’s Department juvenile intervention specialist Robby Robinson at the SCV Sheriff’s Station. Robinson said that he deals with many kids in gangs on a regular basis. There is one particular 11-year-old boy who’s consistently having trouble. Robinson said he has been struggling to connect with him and Mayorga helped.

“Ramses and I chatted,” Robinson said, “and I brought to his attention my issue. He was willing, at any cost, to come meet with me, to go to court with me because (this kid’s) mother only speaks Spanish and (Mayorga) speaks Spanish, and he said that he was a former gang member, so he understood the life.”

Mayorga went to court with Robinson and the 11-year-old, and he’s been talking with the kid about his own gang experiences, troubles and tragedies.

“His dedication,” Robinson said, “and undying willingness to help me was very crucial.”

Robinson added that Mayorga calls him once a week to check on the 11-year-old and his family.

Mayorga has recently filed the paperwork for his nonprofit and is awaiting approval to get going. While he still works with Bresee, once he gets Not Another Statistic Youth Enrichment Services up and running, he’ll eventually commit to that full time.

And while the former gang member’s troubled past has haunted him and hurt him in his life, it’s now the tool he’s using to help others.

Barretto told Mayorga that he’s very happy for him and glad for what he’s doing.

“I don’t know what his changes have been,” the detective said. “I can only trust that he’s being honest with me. But if that’s certainly the situation, then power to him, and I hope he can be a liaison to other people who are joining gangs and maybe help deter younger kids from making choices that he made as a kid. I’m all for that.”

For more information, Mayorga asked that, until he gets a website, those interested go to his Instagram page, @NotAnotherStatistic_Y.E.S, or email him at RamsesMayorgaii@gmail.com. 