SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION II GIRLS’ SOCCER PLAYOFFS : Canyon Starts Fast in 4-1 Victory Over Los Alamitos

Canyon flattened the Los Alamitos girls’ soccer team, 4-1, in the second round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs Tuesday at Canyon High School.

Canyon, which last season lost in the Division II title game, will play Kennedy, a 1-0 winner over Long Beach Poly, in a quarterfinal Thursday.

Even with a four-goal lead at the half, Canyon Coach John Williams was nervous. “I never really felt comfortable, because Pacifica scored four times on Los Alamitos and lost (6-4 in the first round).”

Neither team had a good shot on goal until 15 minutes into the first half, when Laura Flatauer’s attempt bounced off Griffin goalie Lynsey Salsbury, and Genelle Geronsin kicked it in around a group of players in front of the net.

The Comanches (16-5-3) scored again on a goal by Kim Nelson 19 minutes into the game. Nelson scored after a crossing pass from Ingrid Anderson. Three minutes later, Jacquie Bannister’s shot from about 15 yards hit the goal post and Flatauer followed it up.

Just before the half, Krista Broughton kicked the ball over Salsbury’s head into the net.

Los Alamitos (17-3-3) scored 15 minutes into the second half when Sarah Bickel headed in Andrea Sievers’ pass.