Simien's poise, goal lead Los Alamitos to Excalibur title

Showing the resolve and poise of a veteran, freshman Shannelle Simien helped the Los Alamitos girls soccer team claim the Excalibur sword.

Simien scored the game’s only goal early in the second half, as the No.4 Griffins edged No.3 Santa Margarita, 1-0, in the championship game of the 18th annual Excalibur Tournament on Saturday at Foothill High.

“It’s a great feeling to score that goal,” said Simien, whose team avenged a season-opening 1-0 loss to the Eagles. “Our team has a lot of heart and we knew that we could win it.”

Griffins assistant coach Brent Whitfield said Simien’s efforts go beyond her high school playing experience.

“She is tough and has a big heart,” he said. “She has become one of our go-to players, and at times, we don’t even think of her as a freshman by how she plays.”

It was a defensive struggle from the onset, as the Griffins (10-3-3) and the Eagles (10-2-2) spent the first half battling each other for every loose ball and possession. The game was scoreless at the intermission.

Moments into the second half, Simien almost was forced to leave the game when she took a kicked ball directly in the stomach and was slow to get up. However, on the ensuing throw-in, she took a rebound and managed to boot home the lone goal as she crashed into Eagles senior Kelsey McGovern, who narrowly missed clearing the ball. McGovern was forced to leave the game because of a leg injury and did not return.

The Eagles nearly tied it later in the half, but a great kick save by Griffins goalie Amanda McDonough off a shot attempt by Eagles forward Lauren Bohaboy helped preserve the victory.

In other Excalibur Tournament games:

Tesoro 2, Foothill 1: Gabby Zarnegar scored twice for the Titans (7-5-2), who slipped past the host Knights (7-5-1) to finish in third place.

Buena of Ventura 3, Edison 2: Kallie Ryker had a goal and an assist in the second half for the Chargers, but it wasn’t enough, as Buena scored only once in the second half to hold off Edison.

No.1 Esperanza 4, Capistrano Valley 0: Courtney Garcia scored twice as the Aztecs (10-1-2) shut out the Cougars (7-5) to win the consolation bracket.

In the North Orange County Classic:

Northwood 3, Chino Hills 0:Taryn Dietrich scored two goals and had an assist to lead the Timberwolves (10-3-3) past the Huskies in the championship game at Ladera Vista Junior High.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com