FALL SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS : Cal Lutheran Qualifies for Soccer Playoffs, 3-0

Cal Lutheran University qualified for the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics District 3 soccer playoffs Tuesday by defeating Pt. Loma Nazarene, 3-0, at Cal Lutheran.

The Kingsmen qualified for their first playoff berth since 1980 by virtue of the tie-breaking formula in the Golden State Conference.

Cal Lutheran, Fresno Pacific and Azusa Pacific tied for second place in the conference with 3-2 records. The criteria for breaking ties in the conference is goals allowed, and Cal Lutheran, which allowed three during the conference season, was the stingiest of the second-place teams.

Fresno Pacific allowed four goals and Azusa Pacific five.

“Today, we needed a shutout and we got it,” Cal Lutheran Coach Gary Jensen said.

The shutout was the ninth of the season for freshman goalkeeper David Salzwedel. Robert Marti, Peter Arreola and Mike Hayes scored goals for the Kingsmen.

Jensen said the playoff berth marked a dramatic rise for a team that won only five games last season and starts six freshmen and three sophomores.

“Being truthful, we’ve done an exceptional job this season,” Jensen said.

“For us to be this far, this early, is certainly past the point we hoped for.”

Cal Lutheran (13-4-1, 3-2 in conference) will open the District III playoffs Nov. 8 against an unnamed opponent. Pt. Loma Nazarene fell to 4-11-1, 1-3 in conference.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Westlake def. Channel Islands, 15-1, 15-6, 15-13--April Devine had 11 kills for Westlake in a Marmonte League match. Westlake (8-3) is in a three-way tie for first place with Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.

North Hollywood def. Van Nuys, 17-15, 15-9--Van Nuys lost its 11th straight match this season in the East Valley League contest at North Hollywood.

Kennedy def. Sylmar, 15-2, 15-10--Jennifer Bennett had three kills to lead Kennedy (7-4, 5-2 in league) to the North Valley League victory.

Taft def. Reseda, 15-8, 7-15, 15-7--Karyn Panitch had four kills and Sandra Salas had 11 digs to lead Taft (5-1) to the West Valley League victory. Reseda is 1-4 in league.

Burroughs def. Schurr, 15-2, 15-6, 15-5--Mary Ann Wagner had 11 kills and four blocks and Debbie Tenney had seven kills and served 10 aces as Burroughs (13-3, 8-1 in league) remained in first place in the Foothill League.

L.A. Baptist def. Maranatha, 16-14, 15-10, 14-16, 15-12--Laurie Evans had 10 kills as L.A. Baptist earned a share of second place in the Alpha League in a game at L.A. Baptist. The Knights are 11-4, 10-3 in league. Maranatha is 11-5, 10-3 in league.

Agoura def. Santa Paula, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4--Agoura moved to within a half-game of a playoff spot with the Frontier League victory at Santa Paula. Tracey Matson had five kills and four digs, Jolene Clemans had six kills in seven attempts and Tristi Heuer served for 13 points to lead Agoura (8-4, 5-3 in league).

Grant def. Poly, 15-6, 9-15, 15-11--Jana Horowitz and Jennifer Kim led Grant (7-4, 5-2 in league) in a East Valley League match at Poly on Monday. Horowitz had four kills and Kim had three.

Louisville def. Alemany, 15-2, 15-10, 15-1--Tina Kohler’s 11 kills led Louisville (12-3, 9-0 in league) to its ninth consecutive San Fernando Valley League win Monday at Alemany.

Notre Dame def. Bell-Jeff, 15-13, 15-13, 10-15, 16-14--Tammy Silva’s 12 kills led Notre Dame (4-5 in league) in a San Fernando Valley League match at Bell-Jeff on Monday.

Pilgrim def. Simi Lutheran, 14-16, 15-8, 15-7, 15-11--Tanya Deukmedjian and Christiana Smith led Simi Lutheran (8-5 in league, 10-7 overall) in the losing effort at Simi Lutheran. Deukmedjian had four kills and three blocks and Smith had six blocks and five kills.

GIRLS TENNIS

Campbell Hall 13, Buckley 5--Campbell Hall clinched a playoff berth in a Delphic League match at Campbell Hall. Mindy Porter and Sonae Lee won three doubles sets and Laurie McGuire and Stephanie Edmundson won two of three for Campbell Hall (5-2), which finished in second place behind Brentwood.

Grant 7, Fairfax 0--Grant (4-0) remained unbeaten in an East Valley League match at Fairfax.

BOYS WATER POLO

St. John Bosco 10, Crespi 8--Chappie DeHaven and David Scott, with three goals each, were not enough for Crespi in a match at St. John Bosco that decided first place in the Del Rey League. The loss dropped Crespi (12-6, 7-2 in league) into a second-place tie with Servite, who the Celts play Friday. St. John Bosco is 7-1 in league.

BOYS SOCCER

Cleveland 2, Manual Arts 0--Jamie Gordon and Edwin Hernandez scored second-half goals to lead Cleveland in a nonleague match at Manual Arts. Cleveland is 1-1.