SOUTHERN SECTION SOCCER PLAYOFFS : Agoura Wins, 4-0, to Enter Title Round

The Agoura boys soccer team advanced to the Southern Section 1-A championship game Tuesday night with a 4-0 victory over Elsinore at Charger Stadium.

Forward Kevin Jauch and teammate Rob Sahm each scored second-half goals for the Chargers. Agoura (18-1-2) faces cross-town rival Calabasas in the championship game Saturday at Gahr High.

“I thought that we were very nervous at first. We settled down and told ourselves it’s just another game,” Jauch said. “They were a good team and they played well, but we were in much better shape than they were.”

Elsinore trailed, 2-0, at the half and most of its players appeared fatigued after being dominated offensively by the Chargers in the first half.

Agoura was able to take advantage of the tired Elsinore team as Jauch scored early in the second half to give the Chargers a 3-0 lead. With the fans chanting, “CIF, CIF,” Sahm scored an unassisted goal to give Agoura a spot in the championship game.

“We started out slow because we wanted to see what they had offensively and defensively,” said Agoura coach Mark Berke. “When we scored our first couple of goals, they were worried.”

Agoura struck first when halfback Richard Duplain scored late in the first half, bouncing a shot off Tiger goalie Chris Hamill.

Agoura scored again on Grant Landy’s unassisted effort to boost its lead to 2-0.

“We have established a very positive, winning attitude in this area,” Berke said. “Calabasas, Oak Park, Agoura and either Thousand Oaks or Simi Valley will be playing in championship games. That says a lot for the community. Club soccer and AYSO is very popular in the area.

“For the girls team, it’s only their fourth or fifth year in existence. We’ve lost only three games in the past two years and seven in the last three years.”