Crescenta Valley, Burroughs girls’ soccer battle to stalemate
BURBANK — Throughout the past decade, the Crescenta Valley High girls’ soccer team has battled for the top spot with Arcadia in the Pacific League. It’s been a goal in recent seasons for Burroughs to join the pack.
Burroughs got another crack at Crescenta Valley when the Indians and Falcons squared off in a key league match at Memorial Field.
The spirited contest featured back and forth action and late drama, as the teams ultimately finished in a 2-2 deadlock
“Both teams played well and that was a very good game, no doubt,” said Crescenta Valley coach Tyraysha Peterson, who got a pair of goals from Chloe Ataya. “We always know it’s going to be a battle against Burroughs, especially here.
“I’m proud of our effort and I liked the way we battled back. We had a few opportunities earlier in the first half, but we just didn’t put them away.”
Burroughs coach Brady Riggs was pleased with the Indians’ effort, as well.
“We’re trying to make our mark when playing against teams like CV and Arcadia,” Riggs said. “I think we are in a good spot right now and I liked the way we played for the most part.
“CV played better than we did in the first half and we were fortunate to come out of the first half tied at 1. In the second half, we played a lot better and created more chances.”
Crescenta Valley (5-5-4, 4-0-1 in league for 13 points) tied it at 2 on a penalty shot by Ataya in the 50th minute.
Ataya, a freshman, was taken down just inside the box by a Burroughs defender, resulting in a penalty shot Ataya lined past Burroughs goalkeeper Samantha Martinez just inside the right post.
“I knew I had to make it and I got it in there,” Ataya said. “It was a very intense game and we wanted to win it so badly.”
Crescenta Valley nearly accomplished the feat in the waning moments, but Martinez made two outstanding saves near the goal line on Faith Sales and Kathryn Thamasian to preserve the tie.
“It all happened so quickly,” said Martinez, who finished with six saves. “I made the first save and I didn’t know where the rebound went and then the second shot hit me and I was relieved to make that save. We definitely can take away a lot of things from this game and we’re just trying to get better each game. I think we are doing that.”
Burroughs (9-2-2, 4-1-1 for 13 points) took a 2-1 lead on a goal by Megan Rangel-Lynch in the 44th minute. Rangel-Lynch got behind the Crescenta Valley defense and took a shot that was stopped by Grace Zaragoza. Rangel-Lynch followed up on the rebound to record the tally.
The Falcons opened the scoring in the fifth minute when Ataya came down the right side and put a shot inside the left goal post.
The Indians tied it at 1 on a goal by Lauryn Bailey in the 27th minute.
The teams will meet again Feb. 2 at Crescenta Valley.
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
