Crespi Too Tough for Chaminade, 2-0

The Chaminade High boys’ soccer team was expected to be among the region’s top teams, but the Eagles lost, 2-0, to Crespi on Monday and fell to fifth place in the Mission League.

At this rate, they’ll be fortunate to qualify for the playoffs.

Crespi (13-2, 4-1 in league play) moved within a half-game of league-leading Notre Dame. The Celts are tied for second with Loyola, which defeated St. Francis, 2-0, on Monday.

Chaminade (7-7-2, 1-3-1), which began the season 6-0-1, has won only once in its last nine games.

“There are two things that are keeping us from reaching our potential,” Coach Mike Gwaltney said. “We have a young goalkeeper and we aren’t getting the leadership we got from players like Matt Witcher and Eric Pohlman last year.

“Right now the league championship is out of our reach. We are fighting to go to the playoffs.”

Crespi held Chaminade without a shot in the first half and capitalized on two first-half throw-ins for its goals.

Taylor Canel and Aaron Magpali headed throws from Shane Fierst past goalkeeper Kyle Salter.