Royal’s 3-1 Win Over Westlake Forges First-Place Tie in Marmonte League

Royal High Coach John Calpin says there are two keys to winning soccer matches: discipline and composure. On Tuesday afternoon, the Highlanders displayed both qualities in a 3-1 Marmonte League victory over Westlake.

“Soccer is a very passionate game but you must have enough discipline to keep your composure in the heat of the battle,” Calpin said afterward. “Today’s win was extremely satisfying because we kept our composure out there.”

It wasn’t easy. Westlake (14-1-2, 5-1-1 in league), the second-ranked team in the Southern Section 4-A Division, attacks with a fast-break offense, outscoring its opponents, 46-7, before Tuesday’s match at Westlake.

But fourth-ranked Royal (16-1-2, 5-1-1) did most of the attacking, out-shooting the Warriors, 13-10, and controlling the match in the second half with disciplined passing to forge a first-place tie in league.

Junior forward Matt Rast scored twice for Royal. His second goal snapped a 1-1 tie early in the second half after his first had given the Highlanders a 1-0 lead midway through the first half.

On his first goal, Rast leaped above a group of Westlake defenders and nonchalantly headed a pass from his twin-brother Cam past goalkeeper Chris Volk.

Five minutes before halftime, Westlake’s Cobi Jones scored with an assist from Eric Wynalda.

Luis Gutierrez scored his ninth goal of the season 30 minutes into the second half to give Royal its final margin of victory.