Chatsworth Zeros In on Chaminade

Chaminade High and Chatsworth played to a scoreless tie Tuesday in an intersectional girls’ soccer game at Chatsworth.

But judging by the players’ reactions, the result was considered a draw only on the scoreboard.

At the final whistle, Chaminade’s players trudged to the handshake line wearing glum expressions. Their Chatsworth counterparts gathered in a happy clump for an exchange of high-fives and smiles.

Chaminade, defending Southern Section Division III champion, returned nine starters and at least for now, is widely recognized as the region’s best team.

On Tuesday, however, the Eagles (7-0-1) were matched stride-for-stride by the Chancellors.

Chatsworth, defending City Section 4-A Division champion and winner of seven City titles in nine seasons, returned only one senior starter and starts three freshmen and three sophomores.

Annually derided for steamrolling weak City competition, the Chancellors (2-0-1) controlled play in the first half and attained a measure of revenge against the only team to defeat them in the past 38 matches.

Chaminade Coach Mike Evans said his team found the going difficult on Chatsworth’s rock-hard field.

“[Chatsworth] should be happy, they played kickball and crashed our goal,” Evans said. “On a cement field that style suits them well.”

In years past, Chatsworth featured a dominant midfield and moved upfield with quick touches of the ball.

Chancellor forward-midfielder Jackie Fodor said this season’s strategy is different.

“We just send balls forward and make long runs to get to them,” Fodor said. “We’re happy not because we tied but because we know we did our absolute best against a really strong team.”

Chaminade allowed Chatsworth to control play in the first half, with Fodor and Beezy Preis leading the attack from their offensive midfield positions.

With the wind at their backs, the Eagles rallied midway through the second half and produced a 6-1 shot advantage in the final 40 minutes.

The series between the teams stands at 1-1-1. Chatsworth won, 3-2, in 1995 before Chaminade produced a 2-0 victory last season.