Birmingham Pulls Out Victory Despite Press

The Birmingham High boys’ soccer team withstood an early dose of defensive pressure Tuesday before scoring a pair of second-half goals and defeating Northwest Valley Conference rival Chatsworth, 2-1, in a match at Birmingham High.

The Braves (9-1-2, 7-1-1 in conference play) solidified their grasp on first place in the conference and increased their chances for a high seeding in the City Section playoffs.

Chatsworth (7-7-2, 5-2-1) opened the match by hounding Birmingham’s defenders, especially standout midfielders Gabriel Ortega and Victor Escobar as they tried to move the ball upfield.

However, once the Braves eluded the press, they were able to move down the wings almost unopposed. As the Chancellors began to tire, their unsteady back line was continually exposed.

Birmingham struck for a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute. Midfielder Pablo Lastorta sent a pass down the right sideline to striker Gerardo Wence, who crossed the ball to Ortega on the left side of the Chatsworth penalty area.

Ortega trapped the ball with his chest, holding off a Chatsworth defender with his arm and placing a shot inside the left post from 10 yards.

Birmingham increased its lead to 2-0 in the 64th minute when it caught the Chatsworth defense pressing upfield. A long kick sailed over the Chancellors’ back line and was run down by Wence, who broke in alone on Chatsworth goalkeeper Guy Klein and scored from close range.

Striker Mike Preis gave Chatsworth hope in the 78th minute when he scored his 20th goal of the season and his ninth in the past five matches.

Birmingham goalkeeper Peter Mastrocinque mishandled a shot and allowed the charging Preis to score.

The Chancellors had one last chance on a corner kick in the final seconds, but Mastrocinque leaped amid a crowd of players and caught a cross by midfielder Mike Grofsky.