La Reina Contends for Soccer Title

In a match-up of top-seeded teams, second-seeded La Reina High faces No. 1 Pasadena Poly in the Southern Section Division IV girls’ soccer championship at 10 a.m. today at Gahr High.

La Reina (17-3-1) has won 16 consecutive matches.

Junior Michelle Nuesca leads the Regents in scoring with 24 goals in 14 matches. Senior forward Alicia Moon has 19 goals, and freshman forward Samantha Conroy has 18.

Jennifer Brant has been an offensive force from her sweeper position, with 11 goals and 12 assists, and goalkeeper Jenny LaFemina has 17 shutouts.

Pasadena Poly (24-0-1), the defending 1-A champion, has beaten four Division I playoff teams this season.

“We’re glad to be invited to the big dance,” La Reina Coach Joe Laraneta said. “We’ve been ranked second (in Division IV) all year and I think that we showed that we are (worthy of) No. 2. We should give them a good game.”