50-yard goal nets Yuma High win

Ramon Izabal has a strong enough leg to make a field goal.

Apparently, his leg can connect from long distance as well.

Izabal scored the game's lone goal from 50 yards away with 10 seconds left in the first half as Yuma High defeated Gila Ridge 1-0 Monday in the boys soccer season opener for both schools at Doan Field.

“Ramon has a leg,” Yuma coach Jaime Ibarra said. “He's been kicking in football as well. He's known for having a long-range shot.”

Ibarra said the speed of Izabal's kick probably took the Gila Ridge goalie by surprise as the ball went over his head.

Ibarra also said he was satisfied with his team's performance.

“I was really pleased with the way our team played defense and how they were able to play together today,” he said.

PREP WRESTLING

Criminals sweep pair

of duel meets

The Yuma High Criminals opened their season with a pair of wins as they defeated Kofa 40-31 and Lake Havasu 65-10.

Chance Bathrick (103 pounds), Ivan Garcia (125), Porfirio Garcia (135), Matt Noriega (145), Alberto Heras (152), Kyler Dorries (171), James Gomez (189) and Richard Cabrera (215) went 2-0.

“We were missing two of our starters and one of them didn't make weight,” Yuma coach Jeff Welsing said. “We were OK. There's some things we need to work on. For our first match, it's not too bad.”

YOUTH BASEBALL

16-under team takes first

The Yuma Diablos, a local 16-and-under baseball team, won the Super Series Turkey Bash in Mesa this past weekend.

The Diablos beat Phoenix Elite 6-3 and Gilbert 8-4 Saturday to advance to the semifinals.

On Sunday, Yuma defeated Phoenix Express 3-2 and Mesa T-Rex 9-0 for the championship.

Christian Marquez was the winning pitcher in the championship match as he threw a 2-hitter while striking out 10 in six innings.