El Camino Real Gets Victory on the Rebound

El Camino Real High squeaked out a 2-1 victory over Chatsworth in a Northwest Valley Conference boys’ soccer game at Chatsworth.

Jan Falkinstein, a sophomore forward, knocked in the winner out of a goal-mouth scramble in the 63rd minute and the Conquistadores thwarted several Chatsworth scoring attempts late in the game.

Falkinstein’s goal was set up when forward Jose Rivera-Otero dribbled past a defender and unleashed a cross from the right corner. The ball bounced through a tangle of bodies before Falkinstein put it home.

Abdullah Safdari, a senior center midfielder and Chatsworth’s captain, lamented his team’s letdowns in the second half.

“We have lots of really good, young guys who can play skillful soccer but they’re out of shape,” Safdari said. “After 60 minutes, when we had to push it, we slowed down.”

The intense contest was the sort that El Camino Real (2-0 overall and in conference) has made a habit of surviving. The Conquistadores advanced to the City Section final two seasons ago and to the semifinals last season.

“We have guys who have been in situations like this before and who will step it up,” Coach David Hussey of El Camino Real said. “You don’t like to see them have to step it up but we played 40 hard minutes today and we’ll build on that.”

El Camino Real took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute when Jimmy Choto sent a cross from the right sideline that deflected off a body and straight to Mike Petchenick, who scored from 15 yards.

Chatsworth (0-1-1, 0-1-1) equalized 17 minutes later. Safdari’s cross from the right corner and along the goal line eluded goalkeeper Karl Mayr and fullback Zach Feldman. Eliseo Ledzema, standing at the right post, tapped the ball into the net.