She Springs Into Action

Troy Aikman and Dan Marino can throw precision 50-yard passes, but did you ever see them do it after planting the ball on the ground and using it as the base for a front handspring?

Kim Pickup does it that way all the time.

Pickup, a former gymnast, has been using the technique on throw-ins during soccer games since she was 10.

And despite a wipeout during a flip throw last summer that resulted in a torn knee ligament requiring arthroscopic surgery, she has used it this season to help keep Chatsworth (18-0-1) unbeaten.

Pickup, a senior, is known in soccer circles for much more than a unique style. She has 15 goals and is generally regarded as Chatsworth’s best player. Along with senior classmate and fellow midfielder Michelle George, she gives the Chancellors undisputed strength in the center of the field.

Top-seeded Chatsworth defeated El Camino Real, 5-0, Tuesday in a 4-A Division semifinal and will play second-seeded San Pedro for the City Section championship Saturday at East Los Angeles College.

A victory would wipe away the memory of a 1-0 loss to Grant in the 4-A title game last season.

In that game, Pickup was superb in a scoreless first half but received her second yellow-card warning and was ejected shortly before halftime after a scuffle with Grant star Nicole Bucciarelli.

Bucciarelli scored shortly thereafter and the Chancellors retreated to a teammate’s house for a sniffle-filled sleepover.

Grant finished 1-13-1 this season, leaving Chatsworth with barely any competition. That hasn’t lessened the Chancellors’ resolve.

“There’s no way I’m getting carded out of another game,” Pickup said. “I just know we’ve got the team to win it all this time.”