Quartz Hill Breezes Into Playoffs, 4-1

For a change, the wind wasn’t howling in the Antelope Valley.

Nor were the temperatures so cold players dreaded taking off their warm-ups. While the weather conditions were abnormal, one constant remained.

Quartz Hill High is the best girls’ soccer team in the Golden League.

After a brief early scare, the Rebels scored four consecutive goals en route to a 4-1 victory over Lancaster on Thursday.

The Rebels, who clinched their fifth consecutive league title with a 6-0 victory over Highland on Monday, are unbeaten in their last 56 league games.

Sisters Andrea and Shauna Cabriales, Kellie Cox and Laura Weiss scored for Quartz Hill (18-2-1, 10-0 in league play).

Second-place Lancaster (15-10, 7-3) stunned the Rebels, taking a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute when Michelle Hamilton’s shot from 25 yards sailed over goalkeeper Karen Comstock, catching her off the goal line.

“We played a little sloppy in the first 10 minutes,” said Quartz Hill Coach Maury Cauchon. “We thought it was going to be an easy game.”

Although the Rebels trailed, they didn’t panic. The Rebels controlled the flow of play and limited Lancaster’s offensive chances.

Over the last decade, the Rebels have proven they can beat teams from the Antelope Valley. The program took a big stride this season, winning the Simi Valley tournament for its first tournament championship in school history.

The Rebels are hoping for similar success in the playoffs, but they have never advanced past the quarterfinals.

“Being a Golden League team I hope they do well, but I don’t see them going too far,” said Lancaster Coach Rick Acuna.

“We played Mira Costa and I thought they were much better than Quartz Hill.”

Rebel players admit they worry the lack of competition in the league could hurt them if they face proven powerhouses Buena, Claremont and Mira Costa in the playoffs.

“I think [playing in this league] hurts us a lot,” Cox said. “Going out and beating teams, 8-0, it’s hard to work on the things we need to work on. One person can dribble through everyone on the other team.

“[In our league]) we have no competition. Some teams are fast, some have skill, but none have it all. We were at our prime in the end of the preseason at the Simi Valley tournament. We need to go back to how we used to play. We won’t be able to just dribble around everyone anymore.”