The L.A. Games NOTEBOOK : San Fernando Soccer Team Takes Offense

Arturo Vazquez, the San Fernando High soccer coach, has a philosophy that is simply offensive--and effective.

“I just tell our players to go do their thing and score some goals,” Vazquez said. “If the other team scores one goal, we have to score five.”

San Fernando has advanced to the quarterfinals of the L. A. Games’ 45-team soccer competition. So far, its opponents haven’t scored--at all.

The Tigers drew a bye in the opening round, defeated San Clemente, 8-0, and last Sunday beat Claremont, 2-0.

They will play Roosevelt today at noon.

If they win, the Tigers will play either Bell Gardens or Paramount in the semifinals Sunday at 10 a.m. at Valley College. The championship game is also at Valley on Sunday at 3 p.m.

“This tournament has given our players a chance to play together as a unit,” Vazquez said. “We had a lot of kids ineligible last season because of grades.”

Last season, San Fernando finished near the bottom of the Mid-Valley League.

Things may change next year, however, as many of the sophomores on the team are a year more experienced.

Forwards Eddie Rivera and Arturo Martinez, both juniors, are leading the Tigers’ offense with three goals each.

It’s an offense that has, thus far, been the best defense.

San Fernando will need all the offense it can muster if the Tigers meet Crespi in the championship game.

Crespi is a veteran team led by senior midfielder Peter Zenobi. Zenobi, who was first-team All-Southern Section last season, has scored three goals in the tournament.

The Celts have defeated West Torrance, 2-1; Cerritos, 1-0, and El Monte, 1-0--proof that they can win a close game.

The Celts were 21-2 last season and won the Del Rey League title before losing in the Southern Section semifinals.

The playoff loss apparently has given the Celts a renewed vigor for victory.

“We’re a senior-dominated team,” Crespi coach Bryan Keropian said. “We’re approaching these games with a lot of tenacity and hope to use them as a springboard for another successful season.”

Crespi will play Santa Monica in a quarterfinal game at 9 this morning. If the Celts win, they will meet either Bell or Franklin in the semifinals.

Andrea Knapp, Louisville’s 6-1, All-Southern Section center, will try to lead her team over Chino in a girl’s basketball quarterfinal game today at 1 p.m. at Birmingham High.

Knapp will be without the help of some key teammates from the Louisville team that was 21-5 last season and champion of the San Fernando Valley 3-A League.

Starting guards Tina Kohler and Maureen Gaffney are participating in a volleyball tournament this weekend. And Marianella Cruz, Louisville’s talented 5-9 guard, is questionable because of a pulled and bruised thigh muscle.

“I’m glad we’re in this situation,” Louisville Coach Brian O’Hara said. “It gives our younger players a chance to grow up fast.”

If Louisville beats Chino, the team will play either Santa Clara or Mission Viejo in the semifinals Sunday at 9 a.m. at Grant. The championship game will also be played Sunday at Grant at 3 p.m.

The final three rounds of the girls’ 40-team volleyball competition will be played Sunday at Valley College, with games being played from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Saturday reprieve is a welcome one for a Burroughs team that is competing with just seven players.

What the team lacks in numbers, however, it makes up with ability. Hitters Joni Henderson and Traci Tilton and setter Mary Ann Wagner are all performing well in the tournament.

Burroughs will play its quarterfinal match against Alta Loma.

If the team wins, it will play either Redondo Union or Bishop Diego in the semifinals.

Michelle Vail and Mary Thomas continue to pace the Village Christian softball team.

The two players last season led the Crusaders to a 15-3 record and the Alpha League championship.

Their performance has carried over into the 14-team softball competition.

Vail pitched a two-hitter and struck out 14 and Thomas drove in three runs in last weekend’s 11-7 win over Costa Mesa.

The win advanced the Crusaders into a quarterfinal game against El Segundo today at 11:30 at Valley College.

If the Crusaders win, they will meet either West Torrance or Bell in the semifinals at 9 a.m. Sunday at Valley College. The championship game will be played Sunday at 3:30 at Valley College.

Notes

Olympic gold medalist Edwin Moses will be at Valley College today to check out the action between 10:30 a.m and 2:30. . . . The L.A. Games will name the competition’s outstanding athlete on July 14. Past Valley-area winners include Steve Malas (Monroe) in 1975 and Bobby Mitchell (Chatsworth) in 1972. . . . There are a number of other Valley-area athletes making impressive showings in the Games. Crespi midfielder Tait Fenner and sweeper John Jorgens have been very impressive in the Celts’ three soccer wins. . . . If Simi Valley reaches the semifinals in basketball, it will probably play defending L.A. Games and City champion Crenshaw. Look for Stephen Thompson, Dion Brown and Ronald Caldwell to light up the gym for the ‘Shaw. . . . San Fernando halfback Sal Villegas has assisted on almost all of the goals the Tigers have scored in their two soccer victories.