Prep (8-5) opens league play on the road at Chadwick at 3:30 p.m. today.
The Dolphins, ranked fifth in CIF Southern Section Division VI, are one of three Prep League squads ranked in the division’s top-10. Thus, Wednesday’s match against a winless Alhambra (0-8) isn’t likely a foreshadowing of things to come.
Nevertheless, it was hard for the Rebels not to be happy with the display of utter dominance they put forth.
“We basically put ourselves in position to play the game we wanted to play,” Ferguson said.
James Van Deventer scored twice within a 30-second span less than a minute into the match, as the Rebels took a 2-0 lead. In the first period alone, Van Deventer scored three goals and two assists. He finished the match with a team-high five assists.
In all, eight Rebels scored, with Michael Geragos notching a team-best seven goals.
Jeffery Tobias added six goals to the Rebels cause, while Stephen Leach had four.
Much of the Rebels’ offensive output was put into play by a smothering defense, however.
“Our defensive effort was outstanding,” Ferguson said.
Alhambra was outshot, 21-7, in the first half and 33-13 for the match.
The Rebels built a 15-0 halftime lead and were up 18-0 before Alhambra scored its first goal of the match with 4:35 left in the third quarter.
Offensively, Ferguson was pleased with his team’s passing, especially considering the lopsided nature of the match and the trend for players to go for shots in one-on-one situations against an inferior opponent. But Ferguson was happy with his team’s ability to constantly look for the open man.
“Any time our team can work together, it’s only gonna help us in the future,” he said. “Our philosophy on offense is to try and get the guy closest to the goal the ball.”
Just about every Rebel got the ball and a goal on Wednesday — all except goalie Brandon Taylor. But he did have two assists and seven saves.
