Shvartz Lifts El Camino Real

Maytal Shvartz scored early in the second half and El Camino Real High beat Grant, 1-0, in a quarterfinal game of the City Championship girls’ soccer playoffs Friday at El Camino Real.

El Camino Real’s offense was dominant, getting 21 shots on goal.

“We still have a little trouble finishing our opportunities, but we definitely got some good shots,” Coach Scott Holloway of El Camino Real said. “I was very impressed by both the offense and the defense.”

Grant had only two serious challenges and nearly capitalized on one.

After Shvartz scored her 15th goal of the season off a free-kick from 20 yards out in the 42nd minute, Grant (12-2-1) forced the action to the Conquistador half of the field for the next 10 minutes.

Forwards Sarah Critchett and Erica Reisig converged on goalie Miko Penn, but the senior plunged forward, diverting the ball with her hands, and, while still on the ground, blocked another attempt out of bounds with her left leg.

It was the last time Grant threatened, as Nikki Spiegel, Jessica Harris, Linsey Kogan and Mimi Shvartz kept Grant at bay.

Reisig, who led the Lancers (12-2-1) with 25 goals during the season, was hampered by an injury to her right quadriceps muscle suffered during Grant’s first-round game Tuesday against Monroe.

El Camino Real (11-3-1), which finished second in the West Valley League behind Chatsworth, plays San Pedro in a semifinal game Tuesday.