Arcadia’s Klein on Short List of Best

It’s easy to lose sight of 5-foot-3 Brittany Klein in a forest of defenders, particularly when she takes one of her signature offensive stances -- legs bent, back arched, arms extended -- with ball in tow.

Catching only a glimpse of Klein’s frame, it’s easy to identify her style anywhere on the field. She’s forceful, agile and cerebral. Opponents admire her game.

“She brings a mental toughness and takes control of games,” said Chris Vaught, coach of Rancho Santa Margarita Tesoro. “Her tactical decisions are smart.... She doesn’t play her size.”

With 30 goals and 28 assists, Klein, a senior midfielder for Arcadia, made her mark in the Southland this season.

She was named Gatorade’s state player of the year in February. She also earned the Pacific League’s most valuable player award for the second consecutive season. She has earned All-Southern Section first team and USYA Adidas All-American honors the last two seasons.

Now, Klein can add one more accolade to her list: The Times’ girls’ soccer player of the year.

“This was my best season in high school and I ended on a good note,” Klein said. “It was a successful season, even if we didn’t reach our team goal.”

For the Apaches, that goal was to win the section Division II title, which they never accomplished in Klein’s four seasons. Arcadia was the top-ranked Division II team this season but lost, 2-1, to eventual-champion Tesoro in the semifinals.

After the loss, Klein apologized to her teammates, though Coach Shelby Greep said her captain played a vintage game, consistently putting her teammates in scoring position.

“That’s what makes her so good,” Greep said. “She’s one of the most well-rounded players I’ve ever seen.... She plays with her head up.”

Klein’s head was down -- or rather, upside down -- for perhaps her most memorable moment of the season. On Feb. 10, Klein converted a bicycle-kick goal in a 3-0 victory over Crescenta Valley to wrap up an undefeated league season.

This fall, Klein, 17, will attend Santa Clara, where she knows the bodies will be bigger and the competition even tougher.

“I’m used to it,” she said. “I’m not the biggest one out there, so I use my body. I like to catch people by surprise.”