Calabasas Hits Littlerock With Its Best Shot, 5-2

Any worries Coach John Reich of Calabasas High had about playing a boys’ soccer team as dangerous as Littlerock evaporated when the Coyotes took their first shot Friday.

Calabasas scored on its first shot, then on four of its next six shots in an easy 5-2 victory in a Southern Section Division III first-round playoff game.

“It was important to take the lead early,” said Reich. “Calabasas has built up a name over the years. When teams come here we own the first 15 minutes of play.

“If we can knock them out in the first 15 minutes it really creates a doubt in other team’s minds. I think that’s what happened today.”

Forward Itzik Rapaport led the Coyotes (19-1-1) with three goals and two assists. The victory gave Calabasas a school record for wins in a season, breaking the mark set in 1979 when the Coyotes finished 18-4-1.

“Itzik was phenomenal,” said Reich, whose team has 106 goals on the season. “He was the momentum that carried us.

“He had a great first half. It was nice to see him regain his form.”

Less than four minutes into the game, Rapaport headed in a free kick over goalkeeper Ramon Perez.

Ten minutes later, Rapaport dribbled down the sideline past two defenders, before cutting to the middle and passing to Joe Gordon at the top of the 18-yard box. Gordon buried a shot into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.

Calabasas put the game out of reach with two more goals in a two-minute span. Rapaport’s shot from 20 yards was blocked by Perez, only to be touched in by forward Danny Barth.

In the 17th minute, sweeper Vince Jackson misplayed a ball near midfield that Rapaport recovered and dribbled in untouched, slipping in a shot to the left of Perez.

Rapaport added another goal in the 40th minute when Littlerock failed to clear the ball.

Leonard Griffin, a member of the under-18 national team, scored for the Lobos after he was tripped in the penalty box by goalkeeper Scott Sargent. He scored a second time by dribbling past three defenders before beating Sargent in the 50th minute.

“Leonard is a great player, but when he gets the ball our guys stand there and watch him,” said Coach Eric Stanford of Littlerock.

Littlerock (13-10-2) held the Coyotes to two shots in the last 35 minutes but couldn’t create enough offense to make the Coyotes worry.

“In a way we eased up,” said Reich. “It’s hard to sustain the momentum. As a coach you don’t like it, but as a human you understand it.”