Balanced scoring attack elevates Burroughs girls’ soccer over Hoover
BURBANK — There’s reason for the Burroughs High girls’ soccer team to be optimistic.
With balanced scoring and some playoff experience, the Indians are looking at the big picture of contending for the Pacific League championship this season.
While Arcadia and Crescenta Valley have been the two stalwarts in the league, Burroughs would like to move into their territory.
“I think we are definitely in a good spot right now,” said Burroughs coach Brady Riggs, whose team rolled to a 4-0 league win against Hoover on Thursday at Memorial Field. “I think the league is a lot better and there are some good teams across the board.
“We have a bit of a younger team, but there’s the experience factor and trying to get as many people involved as possible. We have three of four people with multiple goals scored and you have more options available. We just have to keep playing like that and with possession of the ball most of the time.”
Burroughs, which finished third in league last season behind Arcadia and Crescenta Valley, got one goal apiece from Lauryn Bailey, Orla Giffen, Catrina Villalpando and Abbie Riggs to turn back Hoover in the first of two head-to-head matchups. The Indians (5-1-1, 2-0 in league) didn’t allow a shot on goal by the young Tornadoes (1-5, 0-1).
Hoover was shut out for the fifth time this season and rarely advanced into Burroughs territory.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute on a goal by Bailey, a freshman.
Burroughs nearly added to the lead, but had a couple of quality scoring opportunities foiled by Hoover goalkeeper Ambur Simmons, who had seven saves.
Burroughs broke the match open by scoring three goals in a 19-minute span in the second half.
Giffen made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute and Villalpando extended the advantage to 3-0 about a minute later. Riggs closed out the scoring on a shot off a rebound in the 72nd minute.
Meanwhile, the Tornadoes are searching for more punch on offense following a seventh-place finish in league last season.
“We have a lot of starters who are young,” Hoover coach Sarah Dearn said. “I’m happy with the result in that we held them to 1-0 in the first half, but I think we just ran out of gas in the second half.
“We’re looking for fourth place in league and we’ll get better. We’re still growing.”
The match was originally scheduled for Dec. 5, but it was postponed because of the air quality from a couple of nearby brush fires.
The teams will meet again Jan. 9 at Hoover.
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
