CENTURY LEAGUE GIRLS’ SOCCER : No. 5 El Modena Still on Track to Win Its First Championship

Fifth-ranked El Modena inched closer to its first Century League girls’ soccer title by defeating Canyon, 2-1, on a last-minute goal Thursday at El Modena High.

One victory or two ties in the two remaining league games will clinch the league championship outright for the Vanguards (16-5, 7-1).

It appeared El Modena would have to settle for its first tie of the season, but Kaylee Whitfield split two defenders and scored her team-high 14th goal with less than a minute to play.

It was the second time in three weeks that Canyon (12-5-2, 5-2-1) has been victimized by a late Vanguard goal. On Jan. 13, Aja Cordova broke a 1-1 tie with a goal with less than 10 minutes left.

“We didn’t have to get out of here with a win today to stay in first place,” El Modena Coach Tino Ray Younger said. “We were going to sit and play for the tie.”

After taking a 1-0 lead on Kristi Hales’ goal two minutes into the game, El Modena’s defense dominated the remainder of the half behind the strong play of Erin Warren and Jennifer Porter.

However, the Comanches got even 15 minutes into the second half when El Modena defender Jill Templin collided with goalkeeper Amy Moreno in front of the net. Canyon freshman Kerry Anderson was there to control the loose ball and kick it into the empty net.

Canyon, which has won the last two league titles, pressured several more times in the closing minutes before Whitfield got loose for the winning goal.

“It’s nice to be in control of our own destiny for once,” Younger said. “Usually about this time of year we are sitting around trying to figure out ways we can get into first place.”