Royal Works Overtime to Defeat Simi Valley, 2-1

Simi Valley soccer enthusiasts need not travel far to find a championship-caliber soccer match. A mini-World Cup contest is practically in their own back yards.

Approximately 450 spectators weathered the cold and fog to see Simi Valley High, the top-ranked team in the Southern Section 4-A Division, battle cross-town rival and seventh-ranked Royal on Saturday night at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park.

They were treated to 92 minutes of action and sent home by one swift kick.

Twelve minutes into overtime, Royal forward Daniel Morris stuffed a shot past Simi Valley goalkeeper Mike Jones to lift the Highlanders to a 2-1 Marmonte League victory.

Morris, camped seven yards in front of the Pioneer goal, took a crossing pass from Ryan Campbell after Campbell won a duel with pesky Simi Valley defender Jason Maass.

“I just waited for it,” said Morris, Royal’s leading scorer with 11 goals.

With the exception of his winning goal, Morris was well marked throughout the match.

The junior was flagrantly tripped in the second half by Maass and the two became involved in a shoving match. Both players received yellow cards: Morris for baiting and Maass for deliberately kicking Morris. Five yellow cards were issued altogether.

“It was very physical and very emotional,” Royal Coach Peter Schraml said. “It’s a local derby and nobody wants to give the other team an edge.”

Morris’ deciding goal chilled Simi Valley (9-2-1 overall, 2-1-0 in league play) and gave Royal (11-1-2, 3-0-0) the edge in the league race.

The Highlanders’ aggressive, fast-paced play earned them a 1-0 lead six minutes into the match when Jody Reihl, on an assist from Campbell, pumped a shot into the upper-right corner of the net.

Simi Valley, the defending league champion, had an opportunity to tie the score at 23 minutes in the first half but a shot by Chris Brown from 12 yards caromed off the crossbar.

Royal maintained the slim advantage through 27 minutes of the second half until Steve Roessig slammed the ball past Royal goalkeeper Steven Hambly to tie the score. Roessig’s goal came one minute after Maass’ and Morris’ yellow-card penalties.

The Pioneers managed only six shots on goal in regulation to Royal’s 10 but outshot the Highlanders, 4-1, in overtime. “When you play defensive soccer you don’t score,” Simi Valley Coach Andy Silva said.