Unseeded Orange Lutheran Earns Co-Championship

Orange Lutheran, making its first appearance in the Southern Section girls’ soccer finals, came away with a 1-1 tie and earned a co-championship in Division V with Ontario Christian on Saturday at Cerritos Gahr High.

The Olympic League rivals met twice earlier this season, playing to a 2-2 tie and a 1-0 victory for the Knights, who won the league title. Orange Lutheran finished second.

Although it’s the first title for the Lancers (20-5-5), and one that wasn’t expected, several girls on the team wish they could have played overtime.

“I wish we could have kept playing,” said senior Krista Conboy. “Then at least there is a conclusion.”

Lancer Coach Del Montell was happy just to be there. Coaching the boys’ and girls’ teams in the finals, Montell expected to see his boys there, but was pleasantly surprised with the unseeded girls.

“I was pretty sure I’d be coaching the boys here today,” Montell said. “Up until now, the girls’ program has done nothing and to come here and get this, it shows us we’re on our way.”

After a scoreless first half, Ontario Christian came out gunning in the second, outshooting Orange Lutheran, 14-2. It was the Lancers, however, who got on the board first with 15 minutes left in the game.

Senior defender Lindsay Wetzler, playing her first year of soccer after leaving the basketball team last season, slammed a direct kick from just outside the penalty box, which goalkeeper Chelsea Veldman knocked down, but couldn’t hold on to and it rolled back into the box. Conboy was there waiting and knocked the rebound in for a 1-0 Lancer lead.

With five minutes left in the game, the Knights tied it up when junior striker Stephanie Etter connected on her fourth shot of the game, putting the ball past goalkeeper Julie Shively.