Harvard-Westlake Able to Turn Minus Into Plus

Harvard-Westlake High learned what impact sweeper Kim LaVere has on a game.

The Wolverines handed Louisville its worst loss of the season, 4-1, 22 days ago with LaVere patrolling the field.

With LaVere home sick, Harvard-Westlake was forced to hold off the Royals for a 2-1 Mission League victory Wednesday.

Playing after 19 days of rest, Louisville (11-5-1, 1-2 in league play) was able to keep the game close.

“The fact of the matter is you take away one of our biggest guns and we are a different team,” said Harvard-Westlake Coach Ned Smith. “With Kim we have a star in the back, in the middle and up front, all surrounded by solid club players. Take Kim away and we lose that presence in the middle, back or up front. It took us 25 minutes to adjust.”

What also hurt the Wolverines (10-1-4, 4-0) was having to move midfielder Jill Oakes to defender. Oakes’ ball handling skills and vision were key factors in the first game.

Even without Oakes’ presence in the midfield, the Wolverines controlled the flow of play and held the Royals without a shot until the 56th minute, when Carrie Schuler’s free kick from 30 yards hit a wall set up by the defense.

“My plan was to keep the game 0-0 and then put Jenny [Farenbaugh] up at forward the last 20 minutes to score and win,” said Louisville Coach Jose Perez. “It was a fair game for both teams. I think they had more chances. They deserved to win.”

Although the Wolverines outshot the Royals, 21-4, Harvard-Westlake was forced to take low percentage shots, many of which had no chance.

The Wolverines scored in the 45th minute when Jen Sayles chipped a shot over goalkeeper Kim Morgan.

Gina Farias-Eisner extended the lead when she knocked in a crossing pass from Tracy Lansing.

“We didn’t plan the play, but I knew it was coming,” Farias-Eisner said. “She’s not a selfish player. She usually crosses those. At first, I was actually scared I was going to miss it, but I was really concentrating when I hit it.”

Farenbaugh scored for Louisville in the 75th minute.