Bell Gardens Boys Ring Up Another Shutout

Edgar Garcia, a junior midfielder, scored twice and the Bell Gardens boys’ soccer team posted its fourth consecutive shutout with a 3-0 victory over Quartz Hill in a Southern Section Division I semifinal between unseeded teams played in a cold rain Tuesday at Quartz Hill.

Nestor Solorzano struck first for Bell Gardens (18-4-3) when he headed in a throw-in during the 24th minute. Early in the second half, Garcia broke free and chipped a shot from 20 yards over the outstretched arms of Quartz Hill goalie Mike Davis.

In the 65th minute, Garcia, streaking down the middle of the field, took a pass from Robert Ramirez and blasted it past Davis.

Quartz Hill, which upset top-seeded La Verne Damien in the quarterfinals, finishes 19-7-1.

Bell Gardens, which has outscored its four playoff opponents, 14-0, will face unseeded Anaheim Esperanza, a 3-2 winner over third-seeded Pomona Diamond Ranch in sudden-death overtime, in the final on Saturday at either Cal State Fullerton or La Mirada High. The site will be determined Thursday.

The Lancers won titles in 1984, ’91 and ‘94, but none were in Division I.

Peter Yoon

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Thousand Oaks 4, Corona del Mar 1 -- Jason Leopoldo, a junior forward, had three assists as the top-seeded Lancers advanced to their first section title game with the victory in the Division II semifinal at Moorpark College.

Thousand Oaks (26-3-3), which was making its third semifinal appearance, will play Los Angeles Loyola (26-4-3) in the Division II championship game Saturday.

The Lancers took a 1-0 lead with seven minutes left in the first half when Miguel Morales scored off a ball headed to him by Leopoldo. Thousand Oaks scored again two minutes later when Chance Myers headed in a free kick from Brian Siu.

The Lancers took a 3-0 lead eight minutes into the second half when Paul Lupanow scored from eight yards out after being fed by Leopoldo, and they extended their advantage to 4-0 eight minutes later when Pedro Gonzalez scored after taking a pass from Leopoldo.

Chris Ringstrom of Corona del Mar (15-4-6) scored his team-high 23rd goal at the 63-minute mark.

John Ortega

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San Clemente 2, Santa Margarita 0 -- The Tritons are one step closer to their third consecutive Southern Section Division I girls’ title after a semifinal victory at Santa Margarita.

Top-seeded San Clemente (17-2-7) will face South Coast League rival Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley (14-5-6), a 3-0 winner over Esperanza, in the final on Saturday. In league this season, the Tritons and Cougars played to 1-1 ties -- twice. They also met in the section finals two years ago, when San Clemente won, 2-1.

Senior midfielder Makenzie Beahm scored the first goal in the game’s 62nd minute. She dribbled left and, with her non-dominant left foot, drilled a 20-yard shot into the back of the net.

Santa Margarita (21-5-4) had numerous chances late in the game, but senior midfielder Kiley Jones’ empty-net goal in the final minute quelled any chance of a comeback.

“This is some of the best competition we’ve had all season,” San Clemente Coach Stacey Finnerty said.

-- Elia Powers