El Camino Real’s Girls Win Some Respect With Tie

Respect has been hard to come by for the El Camino Real High girls’ soccer team.

The Conquistadores have been competitive, but have not been recognized as one of the elite teams in the City Section and are overshadowed by the school’s boys, ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times the last two seasons.

El Camino Real is determined to change that.

The Conquistadores (2-0-1) took a giant step by playing a 1-1 tie with Agoura in a nonleague game Thursday night in West Hills.

“I think the score was conducive with the way we played,” said midfielder Kori McLaughlin of El Camino Real. “We didn’t play like it was a 1-1 tie. I’m happy with the way be played. It was important to have a good showing because people say we play in an easy league.”

In their only game against a Southern Section opponent this season, the Conquistadores found themselves trailing, 1-0, midway through the first half when forward Megan Rivetti of Agoura (1-0-3) beat El Camino Real goalkeeper Jessica Galaif to a loose ball in the box and scored.

Midway through the second half, Kandice McLaughlin crossed the ball to Samantha Spencer, who chest trapped the ball and half-volleyed a shot past goalkeeper Casey Hynas of Agoura to tie the score.

“We play the boys a lot and that’s where we get our physical play from,” said defender Mimi Shvartz of El Camino Real, whose team outshot Agoura, 11-4. “It helps us a lot.”