This “overlooked” high school soccer team just improved to 19-1-3

Juan Esparza Loera

That noise you hear coming from southeast Fresno is a signal that some of the best boys high school soccer is being played by Sunnyside High.

The Wildcats proved that with a convincing but hard-fought 5-1 win over host Roosevelt High on Wednesday to improve to 19-1-3 overall and 7-0 in CMAC/NYL action.

The only blemish on Sunnyside’s record is a 2-1 loss last month to Clovis North, the only undefeated team (15-0-1) in the CIF Central Section and ranked first in California.

The Wildcats got a pair of first-half goals by Anthony González for the only points the visitors would need. Sergio Quevedo added a pair of second-half goals, and striker Hariz Funez converted a penalty kick.

Sunnyside goalkeeper had a shutout going until his defense got lazy by failing to clear a ball, thus allowing Roosevelt’s Diego Fajardo to blast in the Roughriders’ only goal in the waning minutes of play.

Sunnyside High sophomore Andrew Iraheta attempts an acrobatoc shot against the Roosevelt High defender Gavin Jiménez during a CMAC/NYL match Jan. 25, 2023. The try failed, but Sunnyside improved to 19-1-3 (7-0) with a 5-1 win.
Sunnyside High sophomore Andrew Iraheta attempts an acrobatoc shot against the Roosevelt High defender Gavin Jiménez during a CMAC/NYL match Jan. 25, 2023. The try failed, but Sunnyside improved to 19-1-3 (7-0) with a 5-1 win.

How good is Sunnyside?

“It’s a special group that is coming together and has been coming together at the right time,” said Sunnyside head coach Fabián Rangel. “It’s a special group that is trusting each other, giving minutes to every every guy possible, working hard at practice and buying into the system, buying into whatever it is that we’re trying to work with.”

Rangel’s team is dependent on a senior class that weathered a 9-10-3 season in 2019-20.

“We’ve had that base for four years,” said Rangel about the 13 seniors on a squad that is ranked second in the section and 26th in the state.

Sunnyside High head coach Fabián Rangel talks to his team after a 5-1 CMAC/NYL victory over host Roosevelt on Jan. 25, 2023. The Wildcats improved to 19-1-3 overall and 7-0 in league.
Sunnyside High head coach Fabián Rangel talks to his team after a 5-1 CMAC/NYL victory over host Roosevelt on Jan. 25, 2023. The Wildcats improved to 19-1-3 overall and 7-0 in league.

Rangel, now in his seventh season at Sunnyside, is no stranger to quality. His 2017-18 team went 21-5-2 and captured the section championship with a 2-1 win over Clovis North.

He wants the soccer world to notice there is stellar soccer being played in southeast Fresno, whether it’s Sunnyside, McLane or Roosevelt.

“We always go in knowing that we’re the underdogs. We always get overlooked,” said Rangel. “We have good soccer being played in our (southeast Fresno) community. We’re proud of southeast Fresno!”

Sunnyside High sophomore Andrew Iraheta controls thee ball against host Roosevelt in a CMAC/NYL match Jan. 25, 2023. Sunnyside improved to 19-1-3 (7-0) with a 5-1 win.
Sunnyside High sophomore Andrew Iraheta controls thee ball against host Roosevelt in a CMAC/NYL match Jan. 25, 2023. Sunnyside improved to 19-1-3 (7-0) with a 5-1 win.

Should Sunnyside face Clovis North in the section, it would be a familiar sight. The teams first clashed in the Division II title match in 2012 when Clovis North won in a shootout.

“Clovis North is a great program and has a great history,” said Rangel.

enior Anthony González guides his first of two goals against Roosevelt goalie José Francisco Meza during a CMAC/NYL match Jan. 25, 2023. Sunnyside improved to 19-1-3 (7-0) with a 5-1 win.
enior Anthony González guides his first of two goals against Roosevelt goalie José Francisco Meza during a CMAC/NYL match Jan. 25, 2023. Sunnyside improved to 19-1-3 (7-0) with a 5-1 win.

Wednesday, he was pleased with the team’s quick start.

“Our defense played well, and we were fortunate enough to put those goals away,” he said.

The late goal by Roosevelt served notice to never lose focus, said Rangel.

Sunnyside High senior goakeeper Daniel Cruz punches a shot over thee bar against host Roosevelt High during a CMAC/NYL match Jan. 25, 2023. Sunnyside improved to 19-1-3 (7-0) with a 5-1 win.
Sunnyside High senior goakeeper Daniel Cruz punches a shot over thee bar against host Roosevelt High during a CMAC/NYL match Jan. 25, 2023. Sunnyside improved to 19-1-3 (7-0) with a 5-1 win.

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