Simi Valley Outplays Royal to Take Lead in Soccer Series

It’s not quite the World Cup, but when cross-town rivals Simi Valley and Royal highs square off in a Marmonte League boys’ soccer match, by local standards it’s a big event.

Simi Valley, ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section 4-A Division, appeared to have been fine-tuned for its third meeting of the season with third-ranked Royal, edging the Highlanders, 2-1, Thursday night at Simi Valley.

The victory avenged the Pioneers’ 3-2 loss to the Highlanders three weeks ago. In the championship match of the Simi Valley tournament in December, the Pioneers prevailed, 4-1.

“We haven’t played very well the last couple of weeks,” Simi Valley Coach Andy Silva said. “I think we were getting back on track to where we were at the beginning of the season.

“We downplay the rivalry stuff. We treat them like a regular game,” Silva added. “We got caught up in the rivalry the first time (in league play) and they beat us.”

The Pioneers (21-1, 7-1 in league play) took a 1-0 lead when forward Spencer Belideau scored from 15 yards at the 22-minute mark.

Simi Valley, which had 21 shots on goal to the Highlanders’ six, made its advantage 2-0 at the 23-minute mark in the second half when forward Mike Hall scored on a soft, left-footed shot from 15 yards.

Royal cut the deficit to 2-1 with two minutes remaining.

Kai Schraml dribbled down the left side and took a crossing shot that rebounded off goalkeeper Angelo Maccano. Highlander midfielder Marco Todesco was credited with the goal after the ball bounced off a Pioneer defender.

Royal goalkeeper Steven Hambly recorded nine saves.

Royal’s Juan Landaverde received a red card and was ejected from the match for spitting on Pioneer striker Sean Kieldrup at the eight-minute mark of the second half, leaving the Highlanders (16-3-1 overall, 6-1) a player short for the remainder of the contest.

“There will be further action,” Royal Coach Peter Schraml said. “I won’t tolerate it.”