Simi Valley Rises as Royal Slips Into First-Place Tie

Jesse Garner slipped, John Gonzalez scored and the Simi Valley High boys’ soccer team soared to victory Wednesday night over cross-town rival Royal, 2-1.

The outcome of the Marmonte League match at Simi Valley High, combined with Westlake’s victory over Agoura, leaves Royal, Simi Valley and Westlake tied for first place with 6-1 records after one round of league play.

Simi Valley (15-2-3) seized its piece of the lead by capitalizing on a pair of juicy offensive chances, the second of which led to Gonzalez’s winning goal with less than two minutes to play.

Royal stopper Ryan Walker was ejected for a hard tackle in the 63rd minute, leaving the Highlanders (15-5-1) short a man. With Walker out and sweeper Brandon Kay nursing a sore ankle, Royal Coach Kevin Corley moved Garner, the team’s fastest player, from midfield to outside fullback.

But after playing flawlessly for 15 minutes, Garner lost his footing 30 yards from the Royal goal as he moved to break up a pass from Simi Valley’s Chris Harris to Gonzalez.

Gonzalez approached the goal alone and beat goalkeeper Korey Gilliland with a low, 20-yard shot inside the right post for his 14th goal.

“I didn’t trap the pass that well but I got enough of it so [Garner] overran it and slipped,” Gonzalez said. “Then I just wanted to put it in the open side of the net.”

Royal’s Kendall Simmonds scored the match’s first goal on a penalty kick in the 45th minute after Gonzalez was whistled for a hand-ball inside the Simi Valley penalty area.

The Pioneers answered in the 48th minute. Striker Sean Herrity outraced Kay for a bouncing ball and kicked it high over a charging Gilliland from 20 yards for his 17th goal.