Schools
Punchy pugilist, tough to get past
Lighthouse lost its first game. A bright spot? Miguel Gutierrez who applied boxing skills to defense in soccer.
By Michael Ashcraft --
Boxing is good for soccer.
At least, that's what says Miguel Gutierrez, a boxer adapted to LCA's soccer defense.
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There was one moment where a ball got kicked straight at his gut like a kidney jab. He didn't double over.
"I didn't even feel at all," said the Lighthouse junior. "I be doing abs and getting strong to not get hurt with a body shot."
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Lighthouse Christian Academy soccer lost its season opener 1-7 against Pilgrim School in Koreatown.
Still, the resurrected team has made progress over last year, and Coach Hosea Ashcraft.
"We could have taken the game," Hosea said. "But we gave up a little bit. Some of them gave up on the ball when they lost it. The first three goals were simple mistakes. The other team wasn't any better than us."
At half, the score was 1-3. One of those early Pilgrim goals was a hand ball in the area that resulted in a penalty kick. When Lighthouse conceded a fourth goal in the second half, Coach Hosea realized the game was essentially over and put the second team on to get playing time. More goals followed. Most of LCA's team are beginners.
The bright spots were (some) good ball movement and aggression. Even in the second half, Lighthouse created danger on the Pilgrim goal and was unlucky to not score. Sophomore Andrew Morales gave a class on fighting for and keeping possession.
Morales' free kick grazed the top post of the Pilgrim goal.
After a four-pass linkup, senior Zeke Young crossed a ball in front of goal that unluckily sailed over Sean Toomey's head.
"Miguel had a good effort and a good attitude the whole game," Coach Hosea said.
Miguel's toughness and speed was matched by his stamina, another positive from training in Churchill Boxing Clubin Santa Monica. His first sport is boxing. But soccer runs in his blood.
"I was able to push myself more and not get tired," Miguel says.
Full disclosure: Coach Hosea is the writer's adult son. Michael Ashcraft teaches journalism at the Lighthouse Christian Academy of Santa Monica.
