Tologs remain perfect
LOS ANGELES — Still yet to round into top form while dealing with a lack of full-squad practices due first to the end of the club season and now because of final exams, not to mention a nagging injury to its top scorer, the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy soccer team has been able to conceal it pretty well.
With Thursday night’s 3-0 nonleague win over Brea Olinda at Occidental College, the Tologs improved to 3-0 and have now outscored their opposition, 10-0.
“We’re not quite fit yet, we’ve got to get fit,” said Tologs co-Coach Frank Pace, whose team is ranked 10th in CIF Southern Section Division I. “But we will get fit. To beat this team, 3-0, that’s a very good team from a very good league.”
Sacred Heart’s defense was impeccable once again and two goals from Kayla Mills and another from Breanna Koemans offset the loss of standout forward Katie Johnson, who sat out to rest a sore ankle.
“We were ready to play her if that’s what it came down to,” Pace said of Johnson, “but ultimately, we’re trying to win games in January, February and March.
“Kayla came through with two goals and Breanna had another and, offensively we did what we’re supposed to do. …Defensively, we’re continuing to do what we need to do.”
The Tologs took a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute, when Koemans, after taking a pass from Alyssa Conti, dribbled in from the right side and drilled one across the goal into the far left corner of the net.
With seven minutes left in the first half, Mills unleashed a shot on the run that deflected off a Brea Olinda field player and into the goal for a 2-0 lead.
“I feel like we’re still trying to get used to each other a little bit,” Mills, a first-year varsity player, said. “I think it’s just me mostly because I’m new.
“We have to adapt to each other’s play more, but we’re getting it, we’re catching on real fast.”
Sacred Heart began to tire a bit in the second half, but still managed to take away what few opportunities Brea Olinda (1-3) had.
In the 66th minute, senior defender Natalie Zeenni recovered to stop an open run in the goal box and get a clear out. One minute later, goalkeeper Lindsey Espe got one of her four saves on a point-blank shot.
Mills removed any doubt in the 72nd minute, taking a pass upfield from Krista Meaglia on a 3-on-2 breakaway and scoring a goal through the sliding challenge of the Brea Olinda goalkeeper.
“Our defense is definitely holding us, they’re great,” Mills said. “They definitely save us.”
Sacred Heart defeated Brea Olinda, 3-0, in the first round of last year’s Division II playoffs.