Goalkeeper Scores in Victory for Los Alamitos

It’s no surprise when Los Alamitos goalie Jackie Frank racks up a lot of saves for the Griffins. But Wednesday in the Sunset League opener, Frank also managed to score a goal.

Teammate Shelli Linza scored three goals and Frank made 11 saves and scored once, throwing the ball the length of the pool, to lead Los Alamitos past Esperanza, 6-2, Wednesday at Golden West College.

Wednesday was the first day of league play in the Sunset, arguably the toughest league in the county. It features four teams ranked in the top-10--No. 4 Los Alamitos, No. 5 Marina, No. 8 Edison and No. 9 Esperanza.

“Same old story,” Esperanza Coach Max Miyahara said of the game. “We’re on the outside looking in. We got some good opportunities, but then, when you have to contend with Frank . . . she beat us.”

Esperanza (6-4, 0-1 in league) kept it close early, trailing, 1-0, after one quarter. Caroline Guidi scored twice in the third quarter to pull the Aztecs to 4-2, with 2 minutes 45 seconds remaining in the quarter.

But Los Alamitos (7-3, 1-0) took control when Amy Valois, who scored two goals, drew Guidi’s third ejection with 1:29 remaining in the third quarter.

“I left Caroline in because we needed her and she’s experienced,” Miyahara said. “She knows how to play with two fouls. But Los Alamitos played it smart and took her into two meters.”

Linza scored on the ensuing four-meter penalty shot to make it 5-2. Without Guidi for the rest of the game, Esperanza never threatened again.

“We looked at this game as important as any this season,” Los Alamitos Coach Tony Martinho said. “It will be interesting to see how it goes. Any one of the six teams in this league could make it into the playoffs.”