Chatsworth Gets Plenty of Kicks on Way to Title

Moments after the Chatsworth High girls’ soccer team clinched its second consecutive Simi Valley tournament title, Beezy Preis wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

“I don’t think we shot enough,” the Chancellors’ senior midfielder said.

This after Chatsworth launched a combined 40 shots Saturday in victories against St. Bonaventure and La Reina. Had the Chancellors pulled the trigger more often, they would have been cited for lacking permits.

“Shots from outside the [18-yard line] and in,” Preis said with a laugh. “That’s our slogan.”

In addition to its willingness to shoot, Chatsworth (5-1) used a strong passing game to roll by St. Bonaventure, 5-3, in the semifinals, and La Reina, 2-0, in the title match.

Preis and fellow midfielders Megan Landress, Pamela George and Denise Paul controlled the center of the field, feeding forwards Shannon De Vos and Jackie Fodor pass after pass.

“I think our passing against [St. Bonaventure] was good but it was even better against La Reina,” Preis said. “[La Reina’s] so tall we had to keep the ball on the ground.”

Neither of the Chancellors’ opponents, both members of the Southern Section’s Tri-Valley League, had much of a chance. In the semifinal, St. Bonaventure (9-1) forged a 2-2 tie early in the second half but then surrendered three goals in 22 minutes.

Fodor scored twice and De Vos, George and Preis each scored once for Chatsworth, which outshot the Seraphs, 19-7.

In the championship match, La Reina (6-1-1) didn’t have the talent to run and gun with Chatsworth, the defending City Section 4-A Division champion.

Starting forwards Wesley Lyerly and Rebecca Miller were sidelined by injury and illness, and standout midfielder Aimee Thompson played with flu. Sweeper Stacey Jensen, a member of The Times’ 1995-96 all-area team, missed the match with Coach Joe Laraneta’s permission.

The Regents’ depleted roster meant that Chatsworth not only won a majority of the loose balls but also repeatedly forced La Reina players to lose possession. Thompson, one of the region’s elite players, was noticeably slowed by illness and constant double-teaming.

“Aimee controlled the center of the field when she had the ball but she couldn’t get other players involved,” Laraneta said. “I think we’re as good as Chatsworth when we have a full crew but they’re too good a team to beat without all your players.”

De Vos, a 5-foot-5, 99-pound freshman, opened the Chatsworth scoring in the 38th minute when she took a pass from Preis on the right wing and lofted a 40-yard shot over Regent goalkeeper Andreana Mevoli and into the far side of the net.

Fodor scored the Chancellors’ second goal in the final minute.