Chatsworth’s Passing Game Mesmerizes San Pedro, 3-1

Soccer is widely touted as the world’s most-popular spectator sport. Wednesday, the undefeated Chatsworth High girls’ soccer team added another 20 spectators to that list in reducing the San Pedro Pirates to a group of bewildered bystanders.

The Chancellors (7-0-1) defeated San Pedro, 3-1, in a League A opener, adding a victory against the section’s second-best team to several impressive nonleague triumphs and the Simi Valley holiday tournament title.

Chatsworth outshot the Pirates, 31-2, blowing several breakaway chances and placing an array of shots over the net or off the posts and crossbar.

More than its overwhelming edge in shots, Chatsworth’s most dangerous weapon was its passing. Midfielders Beezy Preis, Kim Pickup and sisters Michelle and Pam George dissected the Pirates with short passes and through balls to forwards Denise Paul and Jackie Fodor.

“Are you going to [guard] someone or just stand there and watch them?” San Pedro Coach Jose Camacho shouted to his players.

Pickup launched one of her trademark, full-flip throw-ins into the San Pedro penalty area in the 19th minute. Michelle George headed the ball down and Fodor kicked it in from 10 yards.

The Chancellors (7-0-1) struck again in the 31st minute when George dribbled 30 yards, faked a defender to the ground and scored on a 20-yard shot.

San Pedro (8-2-1) averted a shutout in the 60th minute when Chatsworth goalie Ariella Loewenstein mishandled a shot and Megan O’Donnell scored from five yards.

Pickup scored in the 67th minute when she blocked a clearing pass and drilled a shot under the crossbar from 15 yards.