La Canada Advances to Semifinals

La Canada High moved a step closer to its first Southern Section boys’ soccer title since 1996, defeating Bishop Montgomery, 4-1, in the Division IV quarterfinals Friday at La Canada.

Nick Marquand and Philip Kenney each scored two goals.

La Canada (22-0-1) plays Diamond Ranch, a 3-0 winner over Crespi, in a semifinal Tuesday at a site to be determined.

Eric Irvine, La Canada’s leading scorer, was held without a goal, but he assisted on two scores. He has 26 goals and 16 assists this season.

La Canada led, 2-0, at halftime and missed its third consecutive shutout when Bishop Montgomery (16-8-1) scored on an own goal in the second half.

Pressuring Bishop Montgomery early, La Canada scored both first-half goals in front of the net.

Kenney headed in a direct kick from Marquand in the 18th minute.

Marquand followed with a looping score over the goalkeeper in the 40th minute.

Kenney gave La Canada a 3-0 lead in the 60th minute.

Bishop Montgomery cut the deficit to 3-1 when a free kick by Saul Gonzalez deflected into the net off Marquand.

La Canada outshot the Eagles, 17-6, and has outscored three playoff opponents, 13-1.

The Spartans have outscored opponents, 99-9, this season.

Notre Dame 2, Lompoc 1--Shaun Anthony scored the tie-breaking goal in the 70th minute of the Division IV game and the Knights advanced to the semifinals for the first time at Notre Dame.

Kevin Murray scored his seventh post-season goal and Nick Folk had two assists for Notre Dame (16-8-1).

Diamond Ranch 3, Crespi 0--The Celts (19-6-1) were eliminated in a Division IV quarterfinal at Diamond Ranch.

Mater Dei 2, Quartz Hill 1--Sophomore Taylor Sheldrick scored in the 75th minute, but the Rebels lost a Division II quarterfinal game at Quartz Hill (24-3-2).

St. Margaret’s 5, Flintridge Prep 1--Erik Hallenbeck scored two first-half goals and Matt McGraw, Keita Yamamoto and Alain Kinaly had second-half goals in a Division V game at St. Margaret’s (17-4-1).