Ogiamien, Giannetti spark Esperanza past No. 4 Canyon

ORANGE- Esperanza junior Nosa Ogiamien shook off the pain of playing with a broken bone in her right hand and helped deliver a much-needed win for the Aztecs and a milestone for head coach John King.

Ogiamien scored the lone goal of the match in the second half, while senior goalie Alyssa Giannetti had five saves as Esperanza edged No. 4 Canyon 1-0 in Century League action Friday at Fred Kelly Stadium.

“We didn’t start league off too great and this is gives us confidence going forward,” Ogiamien said.

The win was the 200th career victory for King and moved the Aztecs (10-5-4, 3-2) into second place in the Century League, two points behind first place Villa Park.

“We’re trying to build some momentum going into the latter part of the season and it's big anytime you can get a road win against Canyon,” King said.

The Aztecs were playing their first full match without two-time all-county midfielder Rylee Baisden, who is scheduled to be out 4 to 6 weeks with an MCL injury in her right knee that she sustained in Esperanza’s 1-0 victory over Brea Olinda on Wednesday. Ogiamien also suffered her hand injury in the same match.
 
Defense was the story for both the Aztecs and the Comanches in the first half on Friday. Though Canyon controlled possession for much of the half, they were unable to convert several runs into the attacking third behind the backline defense of sophomores Amy Wilson and Catherine Newberry.

Canyon had the best scoring chance of the half in the 12th minute, but a shot from right in the goal by Comanches junior Camila Espindola-Villarino was stopped with an extended lunge to the right by Giannetti.

“I just tried to get behind the ball and get something on it,” Giannetti said. “I didn’t want them to score there and for us to get our heads down.”

Giannetti closed the half with another strong save on a shot by Comanches freshman Mikayla Arcebido to preserve a scoreless tie going into the intermission.
    
Esperanza began to find attacking lanes in the Comanches defense early in the second half and took the lead in the 63rd minute. Aztecs sophomore Alyssa Regalado dribbled deep into the attacking third and sent a well-timed cross into the middle of the box for a streaking Ogiamien, who slid toward the ball and managed roll a shot into the back of the goal.

“I just saw Alyssa (Regalado) dribbling down the sideline, saw the ball coming for me, and tried to do my best to get something on the shot,” Ogiamien said.
    
Though Canyon had several possessions in the final moments of the match, they were unable to find the match equalizer before the final whistle.

“We know its going to be a tight Century League race and that we can’t panic,” Comanches coach Walter Camargo said. “They (Esperanza) played well in the second half and we just have to get ready for our next match against El Modena.”