Football: An historic victory for University in the Western League

L.A. University scored an historic win on Friday night, ending Venice’s 43-game Western League winning streak with a 14-7 victory.

Let’s just say that Coach Lee Lowe and his players were thrilled.

“I had kids crying,” Lowe said. “I’m still on cloud nine. It means a lot.”

The last time University defeated Venice was in 1996. Some players were 2 and 3 years old.

Lowe, a former University defensive coordinator, took over the program four years ago.

“I took over an 0-for-30 program,” he said.

University (3-3) is in City Section Division II and knocked off this year’s favorite, South Gate, last season. But to beat Venice and Coach Angelo Gasca will give the Wildcats confidence.

“It was, ‘Wow.’ It’s really amazing. Just the name of Venice and who Angelo is,” Lowe said.

University decided to play man defense on Venice’s receivers and turned loose its best player, cornerback Thomas Clay, who had an interception and was all over the field. Running back Tyrone Nelson rushed for 217 yards and both touchdowns.

University will celebrate this weekend, but it faces a tough league foe in Hamilton next week. What it means is that the Western League is wide open for some team to take. And Venice, which is young, could still be heard from.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer