Sunny Hills Won’t Be Running Unopposed for Freeway Title

Winning the Freeway League girls’ soccer title was supposed to be a done deal for Sunny Hills when the season began. But after only their second league game, the 10th-ranked Lancers aren’t alone in the league’s top spot after Troy played the defending champions to a 1-1 tie last week.

Troy (10-3-2, 1-0-1), whose only losses in league last season were to Sunny Hills, took an early lead when Katie Ratican scored three minutes into the game. But the Lancers rallied for the tie on a goal by Renee Garand off a corner kick in the 53rd minute.

“Troy is a good team,” Sunny Hills Coach Jeff Gordon said. “They always have a lot of talent. We thought we played well and I’m happy we were able to hold on and come back.”

Sunny Hills (16-0-2, 1-0-1) has won eight of the last 10 Freeway League titles. Sonora won the title in 1999, and La Habra in 1996. The Lancers under Gordon have lost only 14 league games in 10 years, with undefeated league seasons in 1993, ’94 and 2000.

This season, they are relying on a strong defense, especially after starting goalkeeper Janina Luciano was injured three weeks ago in a game against Marina. Luciano was kicked in the head by Viking forward Erin Droeger as both players went for the ball. Luciano was knocked unconscious, and although she didn’t suffer a concussion, doctors have not yet cleared her to play. Sophomore field player Nicole Fountas took over for Luciano.

Fountas can credit defenders Stacy Pelphrey, Kristine Avendano, Jackie Fiorentino and Christina Kim with keeping activity in front of the goal to a minimum and helping secure 11 shutouts.

On offense, senior forward Simi Phull leads the team with 30 goals. Phull, a four-year starter for the Lancers, missed two games in the Katella tournament last weekend because of illness. It was the first time she has missed a game in her high school career.

On Saturday, Sunny Hills looks to win its second tournament title this season, when the Lancers play Costa Mesa in the semifinals of the Katella tournament at 10:30 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD

Santa Ana can make a statement in the Golden West League today when the Saints travel to Ocean View for a 3 p.m. game. Santa Ana (9-2-2, 2-0), led by Maria Patino and Maria Moreira, has defeated Westminster and Saddleback this season and a victory over defending champion Ocean View would give them a strong hold on the league race. Ocean View (3-10, 1-0-1) is led by senior forward Natasha Sounders, last season’s league MVP.

Fourth-ranked Woodbridge (8-1-3) visits No. 5 Aliso Niguel (14-1-1) in a battle for control of the Sea View League at 5 p.m. Thursday. Aliso Niguel, the defending league champion, hasn’t lost a league game in the last two seasons (including 1999, when the Wolverines won the Pacific Coast League). Woodbridge won the Sea View title in 1999.

In the South Coast League, No. 9 El Toro (12-4-1, 1-0) will play its biggest game this season when the Chargers travel to top-ranked Mission Viejo Thursday at 3:15 p.m. El Toro is led by midfielder April Pettigrew and goalie Kristina Plumley. The Diablos (8-1-3, 1-0) are led by midfielders Kendal Billingsley and Jen Thais and defender Lindsey Huie.

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If you have an item or idea for the girls’ soccer report, you can fax us at (714)966-5663 or e-mail us at melanie.neff@latimes.com

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GIRLS’ SOCCER TOP 10

Orange County Sportswriters’ Poll

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Pos. School (League) Rec 1T. Cap. Valley (South Coast) 8-1-3 1T. Mission Viejo (South Coast) 8-1-3 3. Santa Margarita (Serra) 11-2-1 4. Woodbridge (Sea View) 8-1-3 5. Aliso Niguel (Sea View) 14-1-1 6. Corona del Mar (Pacific Coast) 15-1-2 7. Edison (Sunset) 12-1-3 8. Esperanza (Sunset) 8-1-5 9. El Toro (South Coast) 12-4-1 10. Sunny Hills (Freeway) 16-0-2

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