Chatsworth Hopes to Get Things Back Together

When Jack Sidwell retired from coaching girls’ soccer at Chatsworth High in 1999, it appeared his replacement didn’t need to know much about soccer.

Filling out a line-up card and substituting players once the victory was sealed was all it took to coach the Chancellors, who have won by an average of more than seven goals a game the last five seasons.

Second-year Coach Robert Hayes is a history teacher who had never coached soccer. Chatsworth’s dominant days appear over and things have turned ugly.

“This is my senior year and I’m having no fun,” said Tonya Schmidt, Chatsworth’s captain. “I’ve wanted to quit a million times and I know many others feel that way.

“Some people just don’t care. They don’t show team spirit. They just don’t have the heart. They think we are just going to go out there and win and don’t take it seriously because everybody thinks we are so good.”

The Chancellors have won 10 of the 12 City Section championships and are unbeaten in league play during that time. They have outscored opponents, 570-77, in the last five seasons.

Players say a lack of camaraderie, discipline, dedication and leadership has jolted the team, which is trying to win a sixth consecutive City title.

The Chancellors (4-2-1) suffered early losses to Harvard-Westlake, 3-0, and to Valencia, 6-0, and are wondering if the dynasty is over.

“We are all so hooked on our stats it’s not even funny,” said Tricia Arosemena, a senior defender. “People just want to get their names in the newspaper. So many people just want to look good for other people because everyone is out for themselves and it’s been a big problem on our team.

“We should be playing to represent our school and to keep the Chatsworth tradition because we have so much talent. This shouldn’t be happening.”

Hayes’ dream job has turned into a nightmare.

Over the holiday break, nine of 18 girls showed up for practice.

“The individuals have no dedication to the team,” Schmidt said. “These girls don’t come to practice or games prepared. They think about what they are going to do at night or if they are going to go to the mall later.”

Hayes has spent more time trying to repair friendships and stopping arguments than coaching.

“Much of the problem on the team has been caused by not all the seniors getting along,” Hayes said. “There really isn’t somebody who is a field leader out there. There are about five cliques on this team. There are a few players that can drive a wedge between everybody and it’s been going on all year long. They may appear to be friends, but they talk behind each others’ backs.”

The girls have held sleepovers, gone to the movies together and had long talks to try to mend their friendships. Nothing has worked.

“Running laps is not going to change anybody’s mind,” Hayes said. “I’ve tried everything. We’ve eld team meetings. I’ve talked to people individually and we’ve had 2 1/2-hour sessions where the girls got out all the grief, but nothing has worked.”

For the Chancellors, a core of talent remains. The dynasty has not crumbled, but a City championship will be difficult to achieve without teamwork and friendship.

“We have 18 individually talented players and as long as we are willing to play together, we should win the City again,” said Jenna Fodor, a junior midfielder.

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Alumni games are supposed to be fun, but Crescenta Valley’s reunion Saturday proved to be a disaster for Shannon Clissold, one of the top midfielders in the region.

Clissold, who said she hopes to play soccer for UCLA, Cal State Northridge or Pacific next season, broke her tibia in the second half and will miss the rest of the season.

“It seems funny that all we did was talk about not getting hurt and I broke my leg,” Clissold said. “It’s almost the worst it could be.”

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The Top 10

Rankings of girls’ soccer teams

in the region

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RK LW School (League) Rec. 1 1 Buena (Channel) 15-1-1 2 2 Westlake (Marmonte) 6-0-3 3 3 Harvard-Westlake (Mission) 7-1-4 4 5 Hart (Foothill) 8-5-2 5 4 Valencia (Foothill) 14-2-1 6 6 Chaminade (Mission) 10-4-2 7 8 Louisville (Mission) 11-4-1 8 7 Canyon (Foothill) 14-1-3 9 NR Quartz Hill (Golden League) 10-2-1 10 9 El Camino Real (West Vly) 8-1-1

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Games through Tuesday