Empire League Race Is Sum of Its Competitive Parts
As the regular season comes to a close this week, a question looms: Does anyone in the Empire League really want to win the title?
Control of the league’s race has seemingly changed with each game played. Cypress (14-7, 6-2) took over with victories against El Dorado (11-8-3, 5-2-1) and Loara (16-5-2, 5-1-2). However, the Chargers quickly relinquished their lead to Loara when they lost to the Saxons in their next game.
Loara’s sole possession of first place lasted less than 24 hours. After defeating Cypress, the Saxons turned around and were tied by Kennedy, 2-2, the next day.
Cypress has currently returned to the driver’s seat, thanks to some beneficial scheduling. The Chargers, who are tied with Loara for first with 12 points, this week play Century and Katella, teams they beat by a combined score of 9-0 in the first round. El Dorado is currently in third place with 11 points.
While Cypress should be able to cruise to two victories, Loara and El Dorado have a tough week ahead. Before they play each other at Loara on Thursday--they played to a scoreless tie in their first meeting--the Saxons have a rematch at Kennedy and El Dorado plays at Katella today.
“I think El Dorado will win,” Cypress Coach Dave King said. “So all we need to do is win our two games and we win the title.”
OTHER TITLE HOPES
Century League leading Canyon is another team which benefits from a relatively easy week.
The Comanches (17-3-3, 6-0-2) host Orange today and travel to Santa Ana Valley on Thursday. They outscored both teams by a combined 17-0 in the first round.
El Modena (11-8-2, 5-3) and Foothill (9-7-4, 5-1-2) will meet for second place today at Foothill.
LAST LAUGH
Troy soccer players left an unwelcomed message for their Sunny Hills foes last Wednesday morning, the day after the Warriors had tied the Lancers, 1-1, and appeared poised to share the Freeway League title with them.
The banner, painted in Troy’s school colors of red and black, read, “Congratulations, Troy Girls’ Soccer” and greeted Sunny Hills’ students as they entered their school.
However, the Lancers (21-0-4, 6-0-2) got the last laugh. Troy (14-4-2, 5-1-2) lost in overtime, 2-1, to La Habra (16-2-4, 5-2-1) the next day.
If you have an item or idea for the girls’ soccer report, you can fax us at (714)966-5663 or e-mail us at melanie.neff@latimes.com
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GIRLS’ SOCCER TOP 10
Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll
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Pos. School (League) Rec 1. Woodbridge (Sea View) 12-1-4 2. Mission Viejo (S. Coast) 13-1-5 3. Santa Margarita (Serra) 14-2-2 4. Capistrano Valley (S. Coast) 12-2-5 5. Edison (Sunset) 17-1-5 6. Corona del Mar (P. Coast) 21-1-3 7. Aliso Niguel (Sea View) 17-3-1 8. Sunny Hills (Freeway) 21-0-4 9. Newport Harbor (Sea View) 10-5-4 10. Esperanza (Sunset) 12-3-5
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