Henderson, Paneno Foes This Time

The talents that allowed Josh Henderson and Nick Paneno to dominate as members of the La Canada High boys’ soccer team have translated nicely to a bigger stage.

The pair, who helped La Canada win consecutive Southern Section Division IV titles in 1994-95, performed together Sunday but on opposite teams in the final match of the Pacific Soccer Classic at UCLA, a 4-2 UCLA victory over Duke.

Henderson, a junior forward, assisted on Duke’s first goal and displayed the ball-handling skills that may soon earn him a chance with the U.S. team.

Paneno’s speed and defense as an outside midfielder helped the Bruins shut down Duke speedster Evan Whitfield. And each agreed that playing in such a situation was what they had hoped for as high school players.

“It’s that next step we wanted to take,” said Paneno, who scored the winning goal in UCLA’s 3-1 defeat of Massachusetts last Friday. “Josh is so confident and poised on the ball that it’s really tough to defend him. But knowing that is definitely an advantage when you play against him.”

Add Bruins: Another local product playing well with the Bruins is sophomore midfielder Pete Vagenas, who led St. Francis to the 1996 Southern Section Division III title.

The play of Vagenas, who is only 5 feet 8 and 145 pounds, has taken on added importance since fellow midfielder Sasha Victorine, a member of the U.S. under-20 national team, was lost for the season with a knee injury on Sept. 28.

UCLA Coach Sigi Schmid said Vagenas, who has a goal and six assists, has been invaluable.

“Pete has great vision and he’s very confident because he’s so strong technically,” Schmid said.