Chatsworth Prevails in a Fun-Filled Final

A group of Chatsworth High students attended the City Section 4-A Division girls’ soccer championship game at East Los Angeles College on Saturday decked out in ridiculous costumes.

Several wore towering, striped felt hats. Others appeared to be wearing their pajamas. And below them on the field, Chatsworth quickly turned the title game into a laugher, coasting past San Pedro, 3-1, after leading, 3-0, at halftime.

The Chancellors won their third consecutive 4-A crown and their eighth section title in the 10-year history of City girls’ soccer. Chatsworth’s record in that time is 180-17-4.

Chatsworth (24-1-1) scored on its first shot, in the third minute. Katie Klain dribbled down the right sideline and crossed the ball into the center of the penalty area. Standing alone, Beezy Preis collected the pass before scoring her 15th goal from 10 yards.

The Chancellors went up, 2-0, in the 12th minute after another Klain cross deflected off a Pirate defender and into the goal. Shannon DeVos, the Chatsworth player standing closest to the play, was credited with her 13th goal.

Chatsworth’s final goal came two minutes before halftime. Once again, Klain beat a defender and burst down the side of the field, crossing the ball to an unguarded Jackie Fodor in the center of the penalty area.

Fodor had time to settle the ball with her right foot before knocking a left-footed shot into the net from 10 yards. It was the junior forward’s 21st goal this season, the 67th of her career and her sixth goal in three title games.

“My defense needs to be more with it,” San Pedro Coach Gwen Slater said. “We needed to stay right on the Chatsworth players, but they have so much speed we had a problem keeping up with them.”

San Pedro scored in the final seconds after Megan O’Donnell beat a defender for her 11th goal. It was the Pirates’ first goal against Chatsworth, a league rival, since 1994.

“We’re just delighted we got a score against them,” Slater said.

Chatsworth Coach Jack Sidwell substituted freely throughout the game. His team surrendered its clear edge in possession in the second half, appearing almost bored at times.

“Whenever you [substitute] so much, it slows your game down,” Fodor said. “Just as people get into a rhythm, they get taken out.”

San Pedro (10-8-6) and Chatsworth each managed 10 shots.

“I was a little surprised we put it away right away, but it took a lot of pressure off us,” Fodor said.

Chatsworth’s only loss this season came to Camarillo in a holiday tournament game and its tie came against Chaminade.