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Prep Boys Soccer: Reyes’ header in 80th minute gives Poway High wild 4-3 win over Torrey Pines

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By Michael Bower

Kellen Gallagher picked the perfect time to make the perfect corner kick and Ernie Reyes made sure it didn’t go to waste.

Gallagher floated the ball over several defenders to the far post where Reyes lined it up with his head beautifully for the game winner in the 80

th

minute, as Poway High beat visiting Torrey Pines, 4-3, in dramatic fashion Tuesday night.

Poway trailed 2-0 at halftime before erupting for four goals in the second half. None were more brilliant than Reyes’ header in the final minute, which helped the Titans (9-1-7, 3-0 Palomar League) keep pace with Westview (3-0) in Palomar League play.

“This was a huge win,” said Reyes, who will be signing with San Diego State on Feb. 5. “We have to keep pace with Westview so it was important to get this result and we have to get a result against Rancho Bernardo on Thursday.”

Miguel Berry scored twice and Gallagher found the back of the net on a penalty kick, as the Titans stretched their unbeaten streak to 16 games and have yet to be blanked this season.

Poway scored three straight goals in the second half to take the lead before the Falcons scored the equalizer in the 74

th

minute. It looked like the Titans were destined for their eighth draw of the year before the late-game dramatics by Gallagher and Reyes.

“I knew we still had a chance when we were down 2-0 because we have not been shutout all year,” Gallagher said. “Once we got that first goal and then the second goal we started to get it going.”

Reyes played a huge role in the Titans’ comeback. Outside of the game-winning header, he fought hard for position in the box and earned a penalty kick for Gallagher in the 59

th

minute. That tied the game at 2-2.

“I really wanted to make up for that mistake I had in the first half,” said Reyes, who misplayed a ball and it led to the Falcons’ first goal of the game. “I knew I needed to make a big play and I got Gallagher an opportunity and that changed the whole game.”

The first score for the Titans came off the foot of Berry in the fourth minute of the second half. Fifteen minutes later, Gallagher scored on a penalty kick and two minutes after that Berry found the back of the net again. Just like that the Titans led 3-2 with 18 minutes to go, setting the stage for the wild finish.

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