Cate beaten in semifinals by top-seeded Carter in boys soccer

Cate boys soccer could not overcome two costly second half mistakes as they lost in Carpinteria to Carter High School 3-2 in a CIF Division 6 semifinal game.

Tied at one early in the second half, a hand-ball violation by Cate gave the visitors a penalty kick. Juan Magana scored on the PK to give the Lions a 2-1 lead in the 49th minute.

Ten minutes later a free kick bounced off a Cate player and into the goal to put the top-seeded Lions up 3-1.

The Rams, who won back-to-back Division 7 titles, did not go down without a fight. Joshua Yaro scored in the 73rd minute and Cate had a couple more great chances but the equalizer never came.

Cate is 15-3-2 on the season and still could wind up in next week’s CIF Regional Tournament.