Edison Moves to First Place by Beating No. 7 Esperanza

Edison held off a powerful attack from Esperanza and Kira Simon’s goal with 15 minutes remaining gave the eighth-ranked Chargers a 1-0 victory in a Sunset League girls’ soccer game Tuesday at Esperanza.

Edison (14-1-5, 3-0-2) took over first place in league from the seventh-ranked Aztecs (11-2-5, 3-1-1).

Esperanza used its air game to keep control on offense for most of the first half, but Edison’s’ defense, which has yet to allow a goal in league, was up for the challenge. Despite several strong runs, Edison held the Aztecs to four shots.

The Chargers, who took five of their seven shots in the second half, hit the mark when Erin Novak stripped the ball from an Aztec defender, dumped a short pass to Simon, who hit a shot from 25 yards. Esperanza goalkeeper Brandie Baker was in position for the save, but the ball hit a patch of dirt in front of the goal and bounced over her hands into the net.

“Offensively we weren’t fantastic today,” Edison Coach Kerry Crooks said. “‘I think it was just nerves. We didn’t really get in a rhythm.”

Ali Binder and Jenna Huff, who share time in Edison’s goal, combined for three saves, and their 13th shutout of the season. They have allowed only two goals in their last 10 games.

“I’m very lucky to have two good keepers,” Crooks said. “They both compliment each other. Where one is weak the other is strong and vice versa.”

The two teams will meet again in the final game of the season, one that will probably decide the league title, on Feb. 8 at Edison.