Short-Handed Esperanza Stuns Top-Seeded Arcadia, 2-0

Playing without two key players, the Esperanza girls’ soccer team made the most of what it did have to defeat top-seeded Arcadia, 2-0, in the Southern Section Division I quarterfinals Thursday at Esperanza.

The victory over the previously unbeaten Pacific League champion puts them into Tuesday’s semifinals against Rancho Cucamonga, which beat El Toro, 3-1.

With Brandie Baker, a junior goalkeeper, out with a knee injury and Carly Murphy, a senior sweeper, unavailable after receiving a red card in the previous game, the Aztecs (17-4-5) advanced with goals by Heather Jablonsky and Alison Costello.

Brooke Shea, normally a center-midfielder, was more than effective in just her second game in net, making 10 saves against the aggressive Apaches (24-1-3), who got off 25 shots.

“We felt we were dealt a tough blow, losing two players and having to put a player in goal who’s never played there before,” said Esperanza Coach Trevor Ickes. “We told everybody to work hard, do what they’re supposed to do and try to get a senior (Murphy) another game.”

There were no real scoring opportunities until Esperanza’s Adrienne Lindsey got loose in the center near the penalty box. Lindsey was about to get off a shot when Arcadia’s Kelly Hurley tackled her.

Awarded a penalty shot, Esperanza took the lead when Jablonsky fired a hard shot into the upper right corner of the net.

Costello scored the second goal with five minutes to play.