Boys’ soccer: Get ready for another photo finish in the Mission League
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Every game matters in the Mission League. The winner was decided by a single point last year and it looks as if the seven-horse field will battle all the way to the wire again this winter.
Considering that Loyola, the defending Southern Section Division I co-champion, is mired in third place, it’s a sure bet that there’ll be no runaway winner.
Goals are huge, points critical and wins precious. That’s why Loyola’s 1-1 tie with Crespi on Saturday afternoon was important for both teams. The Cubs (4-2-2 in league) loom within striking distance while the Celts (4-0-4) pulled even with frontrunning St. Francis, for a few hours anyway.
That’s how much time elapsed before the Golden Knights (6-0-2) regained sole possession of the lead with a 4-0 shutout of host Chaminade. Harvard-Westlake and Notre Dame are jockeying for position and only Alemany is too far back to mount a late charge.
The Loyola-Crespi game, played at Chaminade in West Hills, remained scoreless until the 68th minute, when Cubs sophomore Ryan Malden’s half-volley carried over the head of Celts goalie Omar Zeeni. But Crespi’s Spencer Chapman was tripped in the box four minutes later and freshman Juan Mendoza converted the equalizing penalty kick.
Looks like we’re headed for another photo finish in one of Southland soccer’s toughest leagues.
-- Steve Galluzzo, guest blogger