Burroughs girls' soccer snaps long-time league title drought

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Burroughs’ Olivia Aguilar pulls teammates Lauryn Bailey and Lily Gonzalez together for a celebratory embrace after learning the team is Pacific League champions after defeating rival Burbank in the final regular girl’s soccer game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Lauryn Bailey battles with Burbank’s Isabel Partida for the ball in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Isabel Partida has the ball as Burroughs’ Megan Schmidt slide tackles her in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Lily Gonzalez runs with the ball under pressure from Burbank’s Maddie Chase in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Megan Schmidt and Burbank’s Mariela Castaneda battle for the ball in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Ashley Im spins away with the ball to keep it from Burroughs’ Megan Schmidt who is running toward attacking the goal in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ goalie Kaylin Caspter comes up with a save off of a Burbank shot in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Lily Gonzalez turns with the ball on the way to the Burbank goal in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Liliana Partida works to keep the ball from Burroughs’ Lily Gonzalez who is attacking the goal in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Lauryn Bailey jumps over Burbank’s Katie Molloy to head the ball away from her in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s goalie Ashley Im makes a kick save on a Burroughs shot in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Johana Faraj runs and celebrates scoring against Burroughs as teammate Burbank’s Maddie Chase catches up to celebrate with her in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Maddie Chase traps a bouncing ball while running toward the Burroughs goal in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ head coach Brady Riggs walks in anticipation as the game nears the end in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s head coach Pablo Diaz smiles as his team, including Burbank’s Sydney Sugars, celebrates scoring against Burroughs in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Alyssa Mendoza runs with the ball being swept by Burroughs’ Stephanie Torres in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Maddie Chase tries to get her foot on the ball as Burroughs’ Samantha Valencia turns away with it in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Lily Gonzalez finishes a run, beating the Burbank defense and the goalie to shoot and score in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Samantha Valencia cuts with the ball to evade Burbank’s Maddie Chase in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Samantha Valencia runs the sideline as Burbank’s Liliana Partida catches her to defend in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Isabel Partida turns with the ball while being pursued by Burroughs’ Lily Gonzalez in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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6/Burbank’s Erin Trainor jumps to get control of the ball over Burroughs’ Samantha Valencia in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Ava Kramer jumps to get control of a jumpy ball against Burbank’s Erin Trainor in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Lauryn Bailey is surrounded by Burbank defenders Mariela Castaneda, Maddie Chase, and Isabel Partida in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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As the ball gets to Burbank’s goalie Ashley Im, the referee calls a foul on Burbank’s Liliana Partida who is issued a yellow card for interfering with Burroughs’ Megan Schmidt in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Liliana Partida clears the ball on a Burroughs attack in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Lauryn Bailey heads the ball toward the goal over Burbank defender Isabel Silva in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Alyssa Mendoza attempts to control the ball in front of Burroughs’ Gabby Morales in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Just as Burroughs’ Megan Schmidt shoots, Burbank defenders Maddie Chase and Katie Molloy stretch out to defend in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burbank’s Liliana Partida, under pressure from Burroughs’ Lauryn Bailey and Burroughs’ Megan Knutson in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Olivia Cashman turns with the ball in front of Burbank’s Ani Akopyan in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Lauryn Bailey strides with the ball on the way to the Burbank goal in a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Leading scorers on the team Burroughs’ Lauryn Bailey and Lily Gonzalez embrace as they learn their team is Pacific League Champions after a rival Pacific League girls’ soccer game, and the final regular game of the season against Burbank at Burroughs High School on Thursday, January 31, 2019. Burroughs won the game 5-1, and emerged Pacific League Champions. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

By Jeff Tully

Jan. 31, 2019 9:05 PM PT

BURBANK — A long-standing drought was snapped Thursday, and it had nothing to do with the rain that pelted the Southland.

The Burroughs High girls’ soccer team needed to defeat crosstown rival Burbank to earn its first outright league championship in 26 years.

But the Indians, who were tied atop the league standings with Crescenta Valley on the final day of the regular season, received a little bit of help that gave them the Pacific League title outright.

Burroughs received two goals each from Lily Gonzalez and Lauryn Bailey in earning a 5-1 victory against the visiting Bulldogs at Memorial Field that secured it a title share.

However, while celebrating their victory on the field. the Indians received word that Crescenta Valley had played Arcadia to a 0-0 tie, insuring Burroughs the outright title.

It is only the second league championship for Burroughs in program history and the first since 1993, when a team coached by Rob Kodama won a crown in the Foothill League.

“It’s really exciting to have the title and win it like we did,” said Bailey, a sophomore. “We worked really hard this season to achieve this and it’s great that we were able to finally win it. Twenty-six years is a long time and to win it for the first time in forever is great.

“We were amped for this game. We knew we had to play hard if we wanted to win. We knew it was a rivalry game and anything could happen, so that’s why we had to really be focused.”

Burroughs (15-3-2, 12-1-1 in league for 37 points) finished two points ahead of second-place Crescenta Valley (11-1-2 in league), who tallied 35 points

The lone loss for the Indians was a 3-2 setback Jan. 8 against Arcadia — winner of the previous seven league championships. The Apaches finished in third place.

“That Arcadia loss really was the difference for us for this season,” Burroughs coach Brady Riggs said. “We did not play up to our potential in that one and I thought we were flat. After that game, I challenged my captains to rally these guys and they did.

“That was really the difference. That game made all the difference for us and getting beat really helped us more than anything else.

After their share of scoring chances in the opening minutes, the Indians finally hit pay dirt in the eighth minute. After getting behind the defense, Bailey took control of the ball down the middle 30 yards away from the goal and neatly placed the ball in the back of the net in the eighth minute for a 1-0 Burroughs advantage.

With Burbank getting just two shots on goal in the first half, Burroughs increased its lead to 2-0 in the 23rd minute. Gonzalez exploited an attempted offside trap, dribbled the ball in and made a nifty move around the goalkeeper for the score.

“We just work so well as a team, and you really could see that today,” said Gonzalez, a sophomore. “We just had a of dedication from all the players and that’s what really helped us.

“We were a little nervous coming into today, but we didn’t want to back down because we knew we had to win to get that league title. We just needed to play as hard as possible, and we did.”

The half ended with the Indians up, 2-0.

However, just two minutes into the second half Gonzalez struck for her second goal to extend the lead to 3-0.

Just two minutes later, senior Abby Riggs, one of four Burroughs seniors, got into the scoring frenzy with a goal to increase the Indians’ lead to 4-0.

Burroughs made it 5-0 with Bailey’s second goal in the 59th minute.

“Honestly, this really wasn’t in my sights at the beginning of the year,’ Brady Riggs said about winning the title. “But then we just kind of started playing good and it was kind of ‘Wow, we’re pretty good.’

“Then everybody just stepped up and they were just making plays.”

Burbank avoided the shutout when Johana Faraj scored in the 70th minute.

“The last time we played Burroughs we played very conservative and we tried to stay back and counter,” Bulldogs coach Pablo Diaz said. “But this time we said it’s the last game and lets go out with a bang and if we’re going to go down we’re going to go down fighting.

“Scoring that one goal was great, and it was great for her since she’s a senior … Sometimes it’s the little victories that are nice.”

Burbank (3-15-1, 3-10-1) finishes sixth in league and will not make the postseason for the second straight season.

Burroughs will take part in the CIF Southern Section playoffs next week, as the pairings are set to be released Saturday.

jeffrey.tully@latimes.com

Twitter: @jefftsports

Burroughs girls’ soccer snaps long-time league title drought