The La Cañada High School varsity boys’ soccer team narrowly defeated visiting Pasadena Blair, 1-0, to capture the Rio Hondo League championship outright last week.
The Spartans’ high press tactic and control in the midfield created several scoring opportunities but their offense just couldn’t finish. The backline played tough, not allowing any major scoring opportunities for Blair and La Cañada finally scored in the 75th minute of the game when Jason Shibata’s centering pass found Kiven Nessim’s back for the winning goal.
LCHS finished the regular season with a record of 5-1-2 and will host Mountain Valley co-champion Rubidoux of Jurupa Valley in a CIF Southern Section Division 5 first-round playoff match today at 5 p.m.
La Cañada 3 / Monrovia 0
The Spartans came away with a shutout victory in a physical game last Tuesday.
Both teams had equal possession in the first half with Monrovia taking several shots on goal, all stopped by Spartan goalie Nick Boghossian. Defender Liam Rea headed in La Cañada’s first goal, serviced perfectly by freshman Jamie Saunders, on a set play.
Boghossian continued his stellar goalkeeping in the second half, with two more key saves. The Spartans scored again when winger Shibata used his speed to break away from Monrovia’s defense, ultimately finding the back of the net. LC continued with the pressure forcing one of Monrovia’s defenders to score an own goal.
