Rebels blanked by Wildcats
NORTHEAST GLENDALE — In its first four matches of the season, the Flintridge Prep boys’ soccer team combined to outwork its opponents and attack their weaknesses. That led the Rebels to a four-match unbeaten streak.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Rebels strayed from those traits.
Flintridge Prep yielded three second-half goals to Cody Kermanian in a 3-0 nonleague loss against Milken Community at the Glendale Sports Complex.
“I don’t really know if we played hard [Tuesday],” Flintridge Prep senior forward David Russell said. “We weren’t us and nothing happened out there.”
The Rebels (2-1-2) spent a large portion of the first half in Milken Community (3-1-1) territory, but only managed one shot on goal. Looking to get back to the way they played the first two weeks of the season, the Rebels saw Kermanian score his first goal in the first minute of the second half.
Flintridge Prep, which didn’t qualify for the playoffs last season, couldn’t respond. Kermanian scored again in the 56th minute to make it 2-0 before completing his hat trick in the 69th minute.
“We didn’t get back up after that first goal,” said Russell, a reigning All-Prep League second-team honoree.
Flintridge Prep, which was coming off a 2-1 nonleague road victory against Maranatha on Friday, finished with five shots on goal. By comparison, Milken Community collected seven shots on goal.
“In the first half, we weren’t playing our game,” said Flintridge Prep first-year Coach Fabrice Gautrat, who took over the program from Esteban Chavez. “We need to have high pressure and be outworking the other team.
“To have an opportunity to be successful, we need to be doing that. The guys have responded well from the beginning [of the season]. It’s about effort and attitude and not about wins and losses.”
Flintridge Prep’s best scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 27th minute. Russell took a cross from Cole Rademacher and launched a shot wide of the right post. Russell nearly knotted the match at 1, but his direct kick sailed just over the crossbar about five minutes into the second half.
Flintridge Prep goalkeeper Robby Carroll finished with seven saves, including five in the second half. Carroll turned aside a shot by Kermanian on a partial breakaway in the 51st minute.
Flintridge Prep will next compete in the La Cañada High Tournament, which will run Dec. 27-30. It will then begin league competition Jan. 5 at Chadwick.
