Young La Canada Team Kicks Up Its Heels, 2-0

It doesn’t always work out this way, but on Thursday night finesse and skill beat power and speed.

La Canada High, young and skillful, never lost composure under pressure from physical Crescenta Valley en route to a 2-0 victory, winning the La Canada tournament.

“The guys played well,” Coach Louis Bilowitz of La Canada said. “We didn’t panic. Sometimes we do as a young team. We are a team that’s going to grow during the season. We are not a powerhouse yet.”

Jeff Hull scored for the Spartans (7-1) in the 30th minute after goalkeeper Mike Beerer of Crescenta Valley came out to try to knock a cross out of danger, but missed.

Hull one-touched the ball into an open net.

Lonnie Dietz made it 2-0 at the half when he headed in a crossing pass from Hull in the 36th minute.

The Spartans had a five chances to score in a five-minute span early in the second half but a combination of great saves and bad aim kept them from extending the lead.

Kilai Kolar had an off-balance shot from 10 yards blocked by Beerer in the 51st minute and Beerer made a diving save on Hull’s shot in the 52nd minute.

Philip Kinney and Bassam Khan saw their shots sail just over the crossbar in the 53rd minute and Kinney’s shot in the 56th was saved by a sliding Beerer.

After being held to only three first-half shots, the Falcons (8-5) came to life in brief spurts.

Lindon Pecorelli, who has 22 goals this season, had eight of the Falcons’ 12 shots and his shot in the 77th minute hit the crossbar.

“I was worried about him the entire game,” Bilowitz said. “I was even worried about the guy in the last five minutes. He’s a sensational player.”