Griffins Make Sure With 2-0 Victory

Los Alamitos needed only to tie No. 7 Huntington Beach Wednesday to clinch the Sunset League title in boys’ soccer.

But the Griffins played to win.

Midfielder Cameron Kolovos and forward Andrew Bornstein scored first-half goals and goalkeeper Jamie Ackerman made eight saves as the sixth-ranked Griffins beat the host Oilers, 2-0, to earn their first championship since joining the league in 1994.

“I think we might have been overlooked earlier this season,” Los Alamitos Coach Trey Scharlin said, “but our midfielders and defense have played solid all year.”

Kolovos scored in the 16th minute when fellow midfielder Daniel Feldman sent a cross into the crowded penalty area and, after several deflections, Kolovos picked up the loose ball and blasted a shot past Oiler keeper Shaun Roberts.

It was Kolovos’ second game-winning goal against the Oilers this season.

“I guess I’ve just been in the right place at the right time against Huntington,” he said.

Instead of going into a defensive mode after the goal, Los Alamitos kept pressuring the Oilers, using pinpoint passing and team speed to control the rest of the first half.

“Huntington has strong players in the middle, so we knew we had to handle the ball well today,” Scharlin said.

Bornstein’s goal in the 33rd minute put the Griffins up, 2-0, and effectively put the game out of reach.

It was the fifth game in eight days for Oilers (11-6-1, 6-4), who finished second in league.

“I don’t think we played well at all today, but we’ll regroup,” Oiler Coach Will Cummins said. “I think this loss will help motivate us for the playoffs.”