Huntington Beach girls’ soccer falls in PKs in title match
With temperatures well above 80 degrees, both the Huntington Beach and Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos girls’ soccer teams battled the heat Friday afternoon in the Excalibur Tournament of Champions title game.
Los Osos coach Diego Back told his team after the game that it seemed hotter than the Fourth of July.
Huntington Beach had a Summer who provided the Oilers the lead in the second half. But they couldn’t hold it, as Los Osos went on to a 1-1 (4-2 on penalty kicks) victory at Norco’s SilverLakes Sports Complex.
Still, the Oilers (8-5-3) came out of the tournament with positive vibes. Junior midfielder Delaney Brennan, sophomore midfielder Xolani Hodel and junior defender Alyssa Hornback earned all-tournament team honors.
“I’m very satisfied with the complete effort the girls gave us the whole tournament, especially in the final,” Huntington Beach coach Raul Ruiz said. “I’m very pleased with what we’re doing. I think we’re on the right track.”
Huntington Beach, trying to win its first Excalibur Tournament of Champions, took the lead in the 59th minute after a run from Brennan down the left side of the field. She passed it into the middle to sophomore striker Summer Stewart, who finished in the box.
Los Osos (9-1-1) responded just five minutes later. A free kick from just inside midfield by Kala McDaniel bounced around inside the box, until Rachel Silva stuck in the goal for the Grizzlies.
The rest of the 80-minute regulation, as well as two five-minute overtime periods, was scoreless.
Los Osos came through in the ensuing shootout. Huntington Beach did take the early lead, as sophomore goalie Chloe Romney made the save on the first Los Osos attempt then scored on her first team’s attempt.
But Los Osos keeper Lauren Bennett made a save on Huntington Beach’s second penalty kick, and the third hit off the left goalpost and out. Los Osos wouldn’t miss again, with Skylar Medel, McDaniel and Jaiden Suchanek all converting.
Cina Wilson scored to bring Huntington Beach within 3-2 after the fourth round of the shootout, but Gabriela Romero scored the clincher for Los Osos.
Twitter: @mjszabo
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