It’s always nice to exceed expectations.
Canyon’s girls soccer team did just that in defeating Villa Park, 2-0, to clinch the Crestview League title Thursday night at El Modena High.
Taylor Rasmussen had a goal and an assist for the Comanches (13-10-1, 4-2-0), who won both games this week to finish on top of the league.
“I am happy that we met the goal that we set up at the beginning of the season,” Comanches coach Pedro Santos said. “It wasn’t even our goal (to win league). Our goal was to make CIF, and this is just another reward. They really deserved everything that they got.”
Canyon caught a break on Rasmussen’s goal in the seventh minute. From just beyond midfield, the senior defender lobbed the ball towards the left post. Villa Park goalkeeper Cameron Illingworth slid over to play it on a bounce, but the ball glanced off her left arm and into the net.
The Comanches remained the aggressor, as Penelope Hocking and Jennifer Rose put frequent pressure on the defense of the Spartans (14-5-4, 3-2-1).
The Comanches’ back line of Alexis Cherry, Kayla Mazariego, Gabriela Marchal and Rasmussen did not allow a shot-on-goal in the first half.
In the second half, Iliana Hocking doubled the lead, scoring on a header off of Rasmussen’s corner kick feed.
“I think it was awesome to get that lead and close them down,” Iliana Hocking said. “It ensured our victory. It was awesome to contribute to that.”
Penelope Hocking and Villa Park’s Brianna Guerra were involved in a second-half fight. Both received red cards and will miss at least the first round of the playoffs.
Late in the first half, Villa Park freshman defender Madison Goerlinger was involved in a head-on collision with Canyon’s Iliana Hocking.
Goerlinger underwent concussion protocol on the field. She was conscious and responsive as Orange Fire Department officials asked her questions following the injury. She was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
In the San Joaquin League:
Tarbut V’Torah 2, Webb of Claremont 0: Carly Malatskey and Daisy Gollis scored as the Lions (13-1-0) earned their third consecutive league crown.
Malatskey, who has signed with Stanford, has 66 goals this season. According to the CIF-SS record book entering this season, Malatskey’s goals rank fourth on the all-time, single-season goal-scoring list for the Southern Section.
In the Freeway League:
Troy 3, La Habra 2 (OT): Isabella Duarte scored the winner for the Warriors (15-2-4, 9-0-1), who clinched the Freeway League title with the win.
Brianna Diaz and Megan Balderas also scored for Troy, with Katelyn Carter posting five saves.
In the Sunset League:
Huntington Beach 3, Fountain Valley 0: The Oilers (15-6-6, 7-1-2) repeated as league champions with the win. Sawyer Koelsch, Darcy Weiser and Olivia Covert had a goal apiece.
Edison and Los Alamitos each finished a point behind Huntington Beach after winning their games Thursday. The Chargers (17-5-1, 7-2-1) will get the Sunset League’s second seed by virtue of winning both their league games versus the Griffins (15-5-3, 7-2-1).
