Walzer Guides Grant Girls Into City Soccer Final

Amanda Walzer, out of the Grant High lineup for nearly a month because of bruised ribs, showed no sign of rust in leading the Lancers to a 2-1 win over San Pedro in a girls’ City Section semifinal soccer match Wednesday at Daniels Field in San Pedro.

Walzer, a junior striker, scored both Grant goals, the second on a sweeping kick from 20 yards with 12 minutes remaining.

“She really played well, she surprised everybody,” Grant Coach Frank Ortiz said of Walzer, the Lancers’ leading scorer who had not played since crashing into a goal post in a match three weeks ago. “That lifted us, her coming out and showing so much determination.”

The Lancers (12-2-2) will meet undefeated Chatsworth on Saturday for the City championship. The site of the match has not been determined. Grant finished second to Chatsworth in the Northwest Valley Conference during the regular season.

San Pedro ends its season 12-1-2.

Walzer scored seven minutes into the first half. After outrunning San Pedro’s coverage, Walzer went one on one with goalie Elisa De La Pena and scored on a shot into the right side of the net.

San Pedro’s Chellee Bennett scored on the rebound of a missed shot five minutes later for her team’s only goal.