Crescenta Valley a Victim of Opportunistic Arcadia

Shannon Clissold had the magic touch.

Every time the Crescenta Valley High midfielder touched the ball, she or a teammate had an opportunity to score.

Clissold’s efforts Thursday night weren’t enough because Arcadia had what Clissold and Crescenta Valley didn’t: An exceptional performance from a goalie and and a strong dose of luck.

Arcadia scored on its only two shots in the second half and thwarted numerous shots by Crescenta Valley to escape with a 2-1 victory and capture its second consecutive Pacific League title.

For the first time this season, an Arcadia victory wasn’t accompanied by a shutout. But for the second time in three games, the Apaches (18-3, 7-0-1) were tested. Arcadia played Hart to a scoreless tie Saturday.

“I’m so glad my girls actually had to earn the league championship this time,” said Arcadia Coach Shelby Elliott, whose team has outscored opponents, 95-7.

“Last year it was easy. The girls knew this year it was going to be all or nothing.”

Without Arcadia goalkeeper Darci Carruthers, it might have been nothing.

Carruthers, a senior who has a scholarship to Portland, recorded 10 saves, including four diving saves, two on hard shots by Clissold.

The only time Carruthers was beat was on Julie Herrold’s penalty kick goal in the 65th minute that made the score 2-1.

Carruthers blocked Herrold’s first shot, but Herrold managed to touch her own rebound into the net.

“A couple of times I was really nervous,” Elliott said. “But I had complete confidence with our goalie out there.”

Crescenta Valley (13-4-3, 6-1-1) had scoring opportunities beyond those turned away by Carruthers. Clissold’s first shot of the game, a direct kick from 35 yards, hit the cross bar.

Another shot was blocked by a defender standing a yard in front of the goal line, and numerous others missed high and wide.

“This rivalry has been really close over the last five years,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Bud Dain, whose team held an 18-12 shot advantage.

Arcadia scored first in the 45th minute on a 35-yard shot from Lindsay MacDonald.

Arcadia scored again off a set play from 30 yards. Paula Wizel’s free kick sailed across the goal mouth and forward Brittany Pelto one-touched the ball out of midair and into the goal.

“It’s always a war between these two teams,” Dain said.