Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer earns share of rare title
For the first time in more than a decade, the Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer team clinched a share of the Prep League title on Thursday afternoon.
The Rebels scored two goals off set pieces, the second coming from junior halfback Tim Treinen in the 58th minute to secure a 2-1 victory over archrival and host Pasadena Poly in an emotional contest.
With the win, Flintridge Prep clinched a share of its first league crown since 2005 as it improved to 9-1-1 and 4-1 in league with one contest remaining.
“We guaranteed at least a share of the league title, but I told my guys I don’t want any sharing the league title baloney,” said Flintridge Prep Coach AJ Yates, who is in his fifth season leading the program. “I want to make sure we get it outright because this year more than any year, we’ve earned the championship. It’s my first since I’ve got here, so I’m proud of it.”
Flintridge Prep closes out the regular season Tuesday at home at 6:30 p.m. versus Poly (4-8-3, 0-2-2).
Thursday proved to be a big day for Treinen, a tri-caption.
The junior tallied a goal and an assist with perhaps the biggest shot of the day coming in the 58th minute with the score tied at 1.
The Rebels were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal, which was taken by junior Andrew Lathrop.
The midfielder crossed a ball from the left the side to a streaking Treinen, who chipped in a leaping kick from five yards off the side of his foot to give Flintridge Prep a 2-1 lead.
“It was a really chippy game at the beginning and both teams wanted it,” Treinen said. “Both really wanted it, but we wanted it that much more and I was able to finish on that play to win it.”
Poly struggled to put together any solid attacks over the final 40 minutes.
Even so, the Panthers thought they found life in the 78th minute when senior Will Connell went down inside the box.
While the game official raced over and pulled out a yellow card, the call went against Connell, much to the disbelief and subsequent protest from Poly Coach Doug Jolly.
Connell was called for a flop, which served as a double-whammy since he had been carded in the first half and earned a double-yellow red card and one-game suspension.
“I hate to have my senior not there for the next game,” Jolly said. “At the end of the day, that’s what hurts most. I’m not going to comment on the call, but at the end of the day, I just feel horrible for my senior.”
Treinen helped knot the score at 1 in the 38th minute when he launched a throw-in near the Panthers’ goal.
The ball bounced past two defenders right to Rebels forward Simon Siskel, who one-timed an eight-yard shot to equalize the match.
Siskel’s goal countered the contest’s first score in the 28th minute.
Poly senior Brady Carter blasted a 40-yard free kick that was punched by Flintridge Prep’s goalie right to Panthers senior forward James Valencia, who knocked in a point-blank goal to put Poly up 1-0.
“I told my guys that I thought we were the better team before the match, but none of that matters when this game happens,” Yates said. “None of the wins and losses and statistics matter when we play Poly, because there’s always something special about this game, just like today.”
