Ontario Christian boys soccer team falls to Taft in overtime of state playoff match

Taft scores late in regulation and in overtime to stun the top-seeded Knights

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Ontario Christian boys soccer team surrendered a second-half lead and lost 2-1 to Taft in overtime in a CIF State Division V Southern California regional semifinal. Taft scored the tying goal in the final seconds of regulation and then netted the winner about a minute into overtime to stun the top-seeded Knights, whose season ends at 23-6-1.

Why it matters

Ontario Christian was seeking its first CIF state playoff win, having lost in the first round in each of the previous five seasons. This loss is a tough end to what was otherwise a highly successful season for the Knights, who reached the CIF Southern Section championship game.

The details

Ontario Christian took a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute on a goal by sophomore Benjamin Luistro, but Taft junior Lalo Lopez-Gonzalez scored in the final seconds of stoppage time to force overtime. Lopez-Gonzalez then scored the game-winner about a minute into the extra period to send fifth-seeded Taft to the regional final against No. 3 Garfield.

  • The match was played on Thursday, March 6, 2026.
  • Ontario Christian took a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute.
  • Taft scored the tying goal in the final seconds of second-half stoppage time.
  • Taft scored the winning goal about a minute into overtime.

The players

Lalo Lopez-Gonzalez

A junior at Taft High School who scored the tying goal late in regulation and the game-winning goal in overtime to lead Taft to the regional final.

Benjamin Luistro

A sophomore at Ontario Christian High School who scored the Knights' lone goal in the 58th minute to give them a 1-0 lead.

Andrew Belden

The goalkeeper for Ontario Christian High School who was unable to stop Taft's late goals in regulation and overtime.

Jake De Corte

The lone senior starter for Ontario Christian High School, who was disappointed but proud of his team's successful season that included four CIF playoff wins.

Anthony Quintanilla

The head coach of the Ontario Christian High School boys soccer team, who was proud of his team's accomplishments this season despite the tough loss.

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What they’re saying

“I really want them to take away, appreciating what they've done. There's an argument that this is one of the greatest teams Ontario Christian has had. I want them to know that and remember how hard it was to get here and know what they have to do now to get over the hump.”

— Anthony Quintanilla, Head Coach, Ontario Christian High School

“I think it was just a mental lapse. We got ahead of ourselves, thinking about the next game when the game wasn't there yet. I can't even be mad at that. The last four years (until this year), there hadn't been a time when we won a CIF game.”

— Jake De Corte, Co-Captain, Ontario Christian High School

What’s next

Taft will play at No. 3 Garfield for the CIF State Division V Southern California regional title on Saturday, March 8, 2026.

The takeaway

This loss is a tough end to an otherwise highly successful season for Ontario Christian, which reached the CIF Southern Section championship game and won four playoff games - a first for the program in recent years. The Knights will return most of their starters next season and will look to build on this year's accomplishments.