Valencia Loosens Hart’s Grip on Title

Hart High’s reign in Foothill League girls’ soccer appears to be coming to an end.

Valencia tied Hart, 0-0, Tuesday to remain in second place, one point behind Canyon (17-1-2, 5-1-2 in league play). Hart (10-5-5, 4-1-3), which has won seven consecutive league titles, is third.

If Hart beats Canyon on Friday, Valencia (17-3-2, 5-2-1) will most likely win the league championship. The Vikings’ final two games are against Burbank and Burroughs, the league’s worst teams.

“This was their last chance to beat us and they couldn’t,” said defender Leah Shelton of Valencia. “All they could do was tie us. There’s not going to be a Hart next year. Most of their starters are going to be gone and they aren’t going to be good enough to beat us.”

Valencia had a distinct home-field advantage against Hart, with a few hundred fans on the sidelines doing anything they could to get the Indians off their game.

It was a rare site in girls’ soccer.

“I think their fans are a poor example of their school,” said Hart defender Dee Dee Sanguinetti. “I’m totally glad I go to Hart. Our fans would never do that. I think they’ll be lucky to win league. They don’t deserve it.

“They haven’t proved anything. To be the best you need to beat everyone, and they haven’t beat us.”

Valencia is known for concentrating on defense, then pouncing on an opponent’s mistake to score.

However, in the second half, the Indians were the ones looking for an easy break.

Ali Pavoni and Sanguinetti combined for six of Hart’s seven shots.

“Hart wasn’t good enough to beat us [Tuesday],” said Valencia goalkeeper Jaisa Creps. “They went into the game thinking they were going to take us, but we played awesome.

“We’re not intimidated by them whatsoever.”

Poor clearances, bad passes and fouls by Hart gave Valencia several chances to score in the second half. The Vikings couldn’t capitalize against a Hart defense that has allowed one goal in league play.