Third Time’s a Charm for Monroe, 1-0

Finally, a winner in a girls’ soccer game between Kennedy and Monroe.

After the City Section League C rivals tied twice during the regular season, Monroe pulled out a 1-0 victory in the 3-A Division championship game Saturday at East Los Angeles College.

Ruth Hebert scored the game-winning goal in the 60th minute off a crossing pass from Sharon Paulson.

Paulson carried the ball down the left wing and toward the Kennedy goal when Golden Cougar goalkeeper Angelique Fontes moved out to challenge her.

Paulson dribbled past Fontes and managed to cross the ball in front of the goal, where an open Hebert scored from close range.

“[Fontes] committed a little bit soon several times in the first half,” Monroe Coach Bill Hence said. “[At halftime] we told [the players] to try to cross it to the middle.”

Hebert, who had fallen earlier on the play, said her goal and the Vikings’ victory were the result of a little luck and a lot of prayer.

“I was down and not going. Then I saw the ball and I just went,” Hebert said. “Third time’s a charm.”

Monroe (12-1-5) came out strong offensively in the second half after being kept on its heels for much of the first half.

“We were just nervous in the first half,” Paulson said. “I think it was basically a confidence thing and who wanted it more. And we wanted it more.”

Captain Katherine Northcutt kept the Vikings level-headed, shouting out instructions and offering encouragement.

“She’s the leader,” Hence said. Neither team maintained clear possession of the ball during the first half. Each kicked the ball downfield more often than passing from player to player.

Kennedy (17-6-3) outshot Monroe, 13-5, in the first half, but Monroe had the better scoring chances. One of them came in the 25th minute when Hebert took the ball down the right wing and fired a shot off the right post.

The Golden Cougars had their scoring chances as well. Midway through the second half, Monroe goalkeeper Lupe Bambila left the game with a split lip. Moments later, her replacement, Rosa Salguero, stopped a clear shot by Nicole Hagouel, Kennedy’s high-scoring forward.