Chatsworth Girls Play It Again in 2-1 Victory Over Grant

Title it “Girls’ City Championship: The Sequel.” Part III coming soon--in February, to be exact--to a soccer field near you.

When Chatsworth High met Grant on Wednesday, the match bore every similarity possible to last season’s City Section final. Same teams. Same type of winning goal late in the match. Same score. Same winner.

Melinda George scored on a breakaway with about a minute remaining to give Chatsworth a 2-1 victory in a Valley Conference opener.

At the final whistle, the Chancellors stormed the field, cheering and screaming.

“It’s like they won the championship or something,” said a dejected Grant player as she watched the celebration.

Chatsworth (4-0) has won every title since the inception of City girls’ soccer in 1988. Last season, the Chancellors defeated Grant, 2-1, in the championship match on a late breakaway goal by Mary Oades (now playing for Washington State).

“By far, this is the most important game we’ve had in a long, long time, except for (last year’s) championship,” Chatsworth co-Coach Jack Sidwell said. “This meant (being seeded No. 1 in the playoffs), I think. It really made our season.”

Grant (3-1) scored first on a 25-yard blast by Ana Hufanga, assisted by Nicole Bucciarelli, five minutes into the match.

Chatsworth created the majority of good scoring chances, capitalizing in the 35th minute when George poked in a rebound to tie it, 1-1. Neither team had a good scoring opportunity in the second half until George stole the ball from Lancer defender Marrica Pichaikul and found herself one-on-one with Lancer goalie Kristin Kiley-Boynton.

“I was so nervous I didn’t know what to do,” George said.

Kiley-Boynton charged George, who kicked a low shot across the goal mouth into the left corner.

Chatsworth’s celebration was as much relief as exuberance, because the team has not lost a match in its five-year existence. However, Bucciarelli predicted a different ending in the City playoffs.

“I think we’re evenly matched,” said Bucciarelli, who has 14 goals but was shut out against Chatsworth. “I’m sure we’ll meet them again in the finals. They won’t be so excited (after the match) next time.”