First-half flurry lifts Providence boys’ soccer to share of league championship

LOS ANGELES — Against Canoga Park Armenian Benevolent Union on Tuesday, the Providence High boys’ soccer team had a chance to secure a share of the Independence League championship.

Unfortunately for the Pioneers, they suffered a shutout loss.

“After that loss, I sent the players a message on our internal email system and I told them that not every result is a reflection of how you played,” Providence first-year Coach Ron Neef said. “I told them today was bad luck, win tomorrow.”

Providence got that chance at redemption Wednesday afternoon against Yeshiva at Occidental College. This time it was the Pioneers who were on the winning end of a shutout, as they scored three goals in a 10-minute span of the first half to earn a 3-0 victory that gave them their title share.

It was just the second league championship in program history. The last title came in the 2012-13 season in the Heritage League.

Providence (6-5, 5-1 in league) can win the championship outright if AGBU (4-1 in league) loses or ties against Yeshiva on Thursday.

“It feels great to be able to win a league title,” said Pioneers junior Paul Swaine, who tallied two goals. “I think we all feel great right now. To finally be able to win it is amazing.

“We knew coming in today that we had to get the win. We had to forget about what happened [Tuesday] and concentrate on what we need to do today.”

The Pioneers were able to finish first this season after settling for runner-up the previous two.

“For me being a first-year coach and to be able to win it, I’m excited and I’m excited for them,” Neef said. “It’s just so nice to come in and help them and it’s great for them to be able to hang a banner. That is the rewarding part and I can’t be more proud of these guys.”

Providence limited Yeshiva’s chances with solid defensive play, spearheaded by goalkeeper Danny Villeda (seven saves) and backline players Westan Tengan and Monty Greene.

Providence was able to break through against the Panthers (6-7-1, 2-3) in the 18th minute on a goal from junior Elias Ferguson. Ferguson carried the ball in from 30 yards out and put a perfect shot low and into the left corner against keeper Daniel Jackson.

Just two minutes later, the Pioneers increased their advantage to 2-0 when Swaine converted a penalty kick.

Swain came through with his second goal in the 28th minute. The junior got the ball on the left side, dribbled in and put a bouncing shot on frame. The goalkeeper misjudged the shot, dove prematurely and the ball skipped over him and into the net.

The half ended with the Pioneers enjoying a 3-0 advantage.

“We said when we got on the bus today that we just need to win and we looked at this as a one-game playoff,” Neef said. “We always start off slow and, no matter what pep talk I give them, it seems like it always takes them 10 minutes to get into it. But once we start, you can see what they can do.

“I wasn’t worried that we weren’t going to win once we started to get going.”

Yeshiva had some prime scoring opportunities in the second half, including hard shots by Azarya Goodman in the 71st minute and Elon Anderson in the 77th minute, but both attempts were stopped by Villeda.

With their regular season concluded, the Pioneers will now await to see what tee CIF Southern Section playoffs will bring, as the pairings are set to be released Monday.