Crescenta Valley boys' soccer tops Burroughs to win own tournament

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Crescenta Valley’s Dallas Kaauwai is congratulated by Crescenta Valley’s Ryan Sanfilippo after scoring what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Near the end of the game, a crossing ball is cleared by Crescenta Valley’s Dallas Kaauwai with Burroughs’ Ari Arando trying to keep in in play near the Crescenta Valley goal in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han and Burroughs’ Diego Galaviz battle for a header in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Glibertt Saenz attempts to clear the ball ahead of Burroughs’ Jake Lasso-Spell in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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After leveling the score at 1 a piece, Burroughs’ Anton Prather congratulates Burroughs’ William Rosales for scoring at the end of the half against Crescenta Valley in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han and Burroughs’ Cameron Kelly battle for a header in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han tries to get control of the ball with Burroughs’ Diego Galaviz pulling on his jersey in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Dallas Kaauwai jumps high to contain the ball during the game against Burroughs in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Jake Lasso-Spell tries to contain the ball with intense pressure from Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ goalie Jordon Morgan, on a Crescenta Valley direct kick, just gets a hand on the ball to keep it out of the goal in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s goalie Luis Flores gets the ball just as Burroughs’ William Rosales gets to and crashes into him causing a minor injury in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Topli Petko flicks the ball behind him in the first half against Crescenta Valley in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s David Villasenor clears the ball from Burroughs’ William Rosales in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han pumps his fist after scoring the first goal of the game against Crescenta Valley in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Carlos Rosales traps the ball in the first half against Crescenta Valley in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ goalie Jordon Morgan, with cover defense by teammate Anthony Zaragoza, makes a save with pressure from Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han charges forward with the ball against Burroughs’ Josh Sanchez on defense in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Jake Lasso-Spell and Crescenta Valley’s Glibertt Saenz jump for a header off of a throw-in in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Tomik Baghramian reaches for a header in front of Burroughs in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Crescenta Valley’s Dallas Kaauwai is tackled by Burroughs’ Evan Parisi-Sanchez in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Cameron Kelly clears the ball with Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han attacking in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Late in the game, and chasing a one-goal deficit, Burroughs’ William Rosales, who is in front of the Crescenta Valley goal, dribbles the ball away from Crescenta Valley’s goalie Luis Flores in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Andrew Bardales heads the ball clear ahead of Crescenta Valley’s Sebouh Oshagan in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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On a goal kick, Crescenta Valley’s Jonathan Han and Burroughs’ Jake Lasso-Spell and Cameron Kelly battle for the header in the title game of the Crescenta Valley Boys Soccer Tournament on Friday, December 30, 2016. Crescenta Valley won the game 2-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

By Charles Rich

Dec. 30, 2016 6:44 PM PT

La Crescenta —

On the wet turf, the Crescenta Valley High boys’ soccer team ended a lengthy drought.

Crescenta Valley’s Ryan Sanfilippo scored the winning goal in the 48th minute to give the Falcons a 2-1 win against Pacific League rival Burroughs on Friday in the championship contest of the inaugural Crescenta Valley Winter Classic.

In the process, Crescenta Valley (11-2) ended a seven-match winless streak against Burroughs (7-3-3) that dated back to Jan. 11, 2013, when Crescenta Valley recorded a 2-1 league win.

“It’s been quite some time since we beat Burroughs and we have a lot of respect for Burroughs, so it means a lot to beat a team like that,” Crescenta Valley Coach Grant Clark said. “We were able to get a good result and it’s another confidence boost for our players.”

With the teams deadlocked at 1 entering the second half, Sanfilippo and the Falcons went to work.

Sanfilippo pressured a Burroughs defender to make a clearing pass. Sanfilippo intercepted the pass and scored to give Crescenta Valley a 2-1 lead.

“The coaching staff told us to apply a high-pressure attack,” Sanfilippo said. “I saw a soft pass being made and went to pressure their defender. It’s just about knowing where to go.”

Crescenta Valley limited Burroughs to just two shots on goal the rest of the match, which began with a light drizzle.

“It’s something we can clean up and we will,” Burroughs Coach Mike Kodama said. “We just made a couple of mistakes today and we’ll learn from it and continue to get better.”

Crescenta Valley opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Henry Barkhordarian dribbled down the left side and took a shot that Burrough goalkeeper Jordan Morgan saved. Morgan couldn’t control the ball and Jonathan Han converted on the rebound.

The Indians, who made their second appearance in a tournament championship match in December, tied it at 1 on a goal by William Rosales with about 30 seconds left in the first half.

“That was a big play and we hoped it would change things around,” said Kodama, whose team fell to Birmingham on Dec. 12 in the title match of the Ralph Brandt Tournament. “We had the opportunity to finish there and we were right back in it.”

Said Clark: “It’s tough when you let in a late goal, but we had to look at it being a bump in the road and our guys took it in stride. We got the big goal from Ryan. He’s steady with the ball and his speed can throw you off.”

Crescenta Valley’s Alex Atanackovic was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Tomik Baghramian, Barkhordarian and Han were named to the all-tournament team, while Burroughs’ Cameron Kelly, Diego Galaviz and Morgan were bestowed with all-tournament recognition, as well.

Crescenta Valley will open Pacific League play at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Burbank. Burroughs will begin league at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pasadena, which won the league championship last season.

Crescenta Valley and Burroughs will participate in two league matches. The first will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 17 at Burroughs and the finale will occur at 3:15 p.m. Feb. 7 at Crescenta Valley.

Crescenta Valley boys’ soccer tops Burroughs to win own tournament