Hart Brings Halt to Burbank Win Streak in Foothill Opener

The Burbank High boys’ soccer team had a seven-game winning streak entering a Foothill League opener against Hart on Friday.

But Coach Ricardo Valenzuela worried that his players had a false sense of security because Burbank had not faced strong teams.

He was right.

Led by two goals by Mike Caso, Hart defeated the Bulldogs, 4-0, in Newhall.

“The score speaks for itself. We dominated the game,” said Hart Coach Robert Ciccone. “Our team played tough. We came out with our normal game plan. I played half of my bench in the second half.”

Valenzuela said Burbank was hurt by the winter break.

“The goals they scored on us [were] a consequence of a weak defense,” Valenzuela said. “Our chemistry is broken. We don’t have the right players. Our school is on vacation still and it costs us a lot.”

The Bulldogs (7-3-1), who last year defeated Hart, 4-0, played without two starters.

Hart (10-5-3) scored in the 19th minute on Caso’s first goal and moved ahead, 2-0, about two minutes later on Tim Sachs’ goal.

Caso scored on a pass from Sachs in the 35th minute and Adam Barrios knocked in a rebound of a corner kick in the 49th minute.

Burbank failed to pressure Hart goalkeeper Kyle Reynish, who made two easy saves.

“Before the game I was worried. Burbank has good players,” Ciccone said. “Our defense shut them down. We made no mistakes.”