PREP SOCCER ROUNDUP : Fourth-Ranked El Modena Rallies to Top Canyon

Fourth-ranked El Modena fell behind early, but rallied for a 2-1 victory over Canyon in a Century League girls’ soccer game Thursday at Canyon High.

The Vanguards (12-4, 3-0 in league) moved a game ahead of Canyon (9-4-1, 2-1), which has won two consecutive league titles and five of the last seven.

Canyon dominated most of the game, but El Modena took advantage of its scoring chances.

After Canyon’s Laura Flatauer beat Vanguard goalkeeper Amy Moreno to the ball and scored 15 minutes into the game, Laurie Zemke answered just before halftime with her first goal of the year.

Canyon kept pressure on El Modena for most of the second half, but Moreno was up to each challenge and was credited with eight saves.

With 10 minutes remaining, Stephanie Esparza found Aja Cordova open in front of the goal, and Cordova headed the soft pass into the net for the winning goal.

“I felt we had control and momentum coming out of halftime,” El Modena Coach Tino Younger said. “And I felt confident we could get another score in the second half.”