La Cañada High boys’ soccer sees yellow in 2-0 loss to Monrovia
LA CAÑADA — History was not on the side of the La Cañada High boys’ soccer team in Friday afternoon’s heated Rio Hondo League match versus visiting Monrovia, in which nine yellow cards were called.
Consequently, the Spartans’ bid for a league championship appears to be done after the Wildcats notched a 2-0 victory, which is Monrovia’s first win at La Cañada in at least 14 years.
With the triumph, the CIF Southern Section Division VI top-ranked Wildcats (19-1-3 overall, 6-1-1 in league) remained atop the league standings with South Pasadena (6-1-1), a 2-0 victor over Temple City on Friday.
The setback dropped La Cañada (9-7-4, 4-2-2) to third place in league with two matches remaining.
“It was an emotionally charged game for sure and we knew to expect that,” said Spartans Coach Alex Harrison, who received his own yellow card in the 34th minute. “This had a league championship on the line and we knew we could beat them.
“If we would have won, we could have forced ourselves on top of league and got a high CIF seed, but we didn’t do it. That’s how it goes.”
Each team took turns being the bully with the Spartans tallying the match’s first five yellow cards and the reigning league champion Wildcats earning the last four.
Despite those swings, Monrovia was consistent on offense in scoring a goal in each half.
The Wildcats’ final tally came via a spectacular finish from senior halfback Mo Alewine.
The midfielder took a pass through traffic from junior Joel Cortez, dribbled through defenders and ripped a 25-yard goal top shelf into the upper right corner of the net in the 62nd minute to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.
“You have to give it to Monrovia on that goal,” Harrison said. “That was a world-class play.”
The goal was twice as sweet for Monrovia, which did not have Cortez available when the teams played to a scoreless tie on Jan. 21.
“It was a tough couple of games for us, losing to South Pasadena (2-1) and then tying La Cañada next,” Monrovia Coach Michael Williams said. “We didn’t have Joel, who suffered a concussion and memory loss. That really devastated the team during those two matches. It was great to have him out there.”
Williams also confirmed that the victory at La Cañada was the first for the Wildcats during his decade tenure.
“We’re talking it’s been at least 14 years since we’ve won here,” Williams said. “You count the 10 years I’ve been here and the four years my assistant was here playing at Monrovia right before I got here and it’s been a very, very long time.”
The Spartans had a few chances to score, including when senior Juan Carrasquero peppered a shot in the 80th minute which required a diving save from Monrovia goalie Taylor Barstow.
Two minutes prior, La Cañada junior John Lee had a 15-yard shot stopped by Barstow.
The scoring chances routinely coincided with cards that followed and broke up the flow of play for both sides.
“You definitely have to be aware that the game’s getting physical and people are getting frustrated, so it does weigh on your mind knowing that you could get carded,” Spartans sophomore defender Jack Meeker said. “But, we also had some guys go into tackles willy nilly and they got penalized.”
Neither team controlled the flow of play in the first half, although Monrovia found the back of the net in the 26th minute when junior Kristian Kaekul headed a score off a free kick from senior Nikolas Agundez.
Perhaps La Cañada’s best attempt was a shot wide left from Luke Bonham in the 36th minute.
About 30 seconds after the try, the Spartans were called for another yellow card, which snapped whatever momentum the team had.
“I think these high school refs love giving out yellow cards,” said Spartans senior defender Nick Le Clerc, who received a yellow in the 40th minute. “The card I got back there – I hit the ball first and then [a Monrovia player] ran over my leg. I think players are getting better and watching too much Neymar Jr. diving and flopping and they’re really good at it.”