Road to Title Town Goes Through El Camino Real

Lauren Moss scored the game-winning goal off a corner kick by Giuliana Facio in the 51st minute to give Woodland Hills El Camino Real its second consecutive City Section girls’ soccer championship, a 2-1 victory over San Pedro on Saturday at UCLA’s Drake Stadium.

El Camino Real took a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the game when Moss passed to Samantha Spencer, who fired a shot underneath San Pedro junior goalkeeper Stephanie Shaw for her 19th goal of the season.

Top-seeded San Pedro (22-4-2) tied it five minutes later when Jennifer Ramos’ shot was blocked by El Camino Real goalkeeper Miko Penn and Terry Manqueros kicked in the rebound.

San Pedro outshot El Camino Real, 13-7, but the Pirates’ leading scorer, Cailtin Ursini (18 goals), was held to one shot.

The second-seeded Conquistadores (18-3-1) were playing without sophomore Kandice McLaughlin, a 30-goal scorer, who was assessed two yellow cards in the semifinals and had to sit out the final.

In the girls’ Invitational championship, Vanessa Jesperson scored both goals for Los Angeles CES (15-1-3), which defeated Wilson, 2-0, to become the first Magnet school to win a City title.

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In the City Section boys’ final:

El Camino Real 2, Roosevelt 0--Jason Lara scored in the seventh minute and added the clinching goal in the 65th minute as the top-seeded Conquistadores (25-3-3) won their second consecutive title and third in the last four years.

“Winning back to back is a big accomplishment,” said Lara, a senior forward who finished the season with 30 goals.

El Camino Real dominated play in the first half, outshooting Roosevelt, 8-6, but the 15th-seeded Roughriders (17-6-3) had numerous chances to tie the game on set plays early in the second half. However, El Camino Real goalkeeper Raul Calderon made several diving saves to keep his team ahead.

After a shanked punt by Roosevelt goaltender Paulo Jiminez, Lara gained possession at midfield and passed to Gianni Facio on the left wing. Facio sent a high pass across the goal mouth, which Lara lofted just under the crossbar with 15 minutes left.

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In the third-place game, South Gate beat Fremont, 5-4, on penalty kicks. The game was tied, 1-1, after regulation.

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Steve Galluzzo