After 95 minutes in which El Camino Real and Palisades could not score in a City Section Division 1 semifinal soccer playoff game, it was settled by penalty kicks Wednesday on a cold, windy field in the Sepulveda Basin. And no one stood taller than ECR goalie Matthew Ceja, who used his feet to deliver victory.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Ceja, whose team won 4-1 in penalty kicks to advance to play West Valley League rival Birmingham in Saturday’s City Section championship game at Valley College. Birmingham defeated Taft, 4-1, with Oscar Vargas scoring three goals.
The big save by Matthew Ceja of ECR vs. Palisades. pic.twitter.com/hfwMHmZ44p— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) February 23, 2023
El Camino Real and Palisades went scoreless through regulation and through a 15-minute overtime period, forcing the penalty kicks. From the beginning of the shootout, the Royals had the momentum. Edan Lavarovitch scored for ECR and then Ceja used his feet to deflect the ball and deny Palisades on its first attempt. The Dolphins missed another on a shot that went over the net.
ECR wins on penalty kicks 4-1. Will play Birmingham for City title. Birmingham defeated Taft 4-1. pic.twitter.com/lavbMqcq5s— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) February 23, 2023
The match was ended when ECR’s Jonathan Rabinovitch scored the Royals’ clinching goal, leading to a victory celebration and creating exciting about reaching the final. Birmingham and El Camino Real already have played twice, with Birmingham winning one and tying in the other. El Camino Real has won six City titles and Birmingham four.
With this save from Goalkeeper Axl Olea the Carson Colts have defeated the Garfield Bulldogs in pks and are headed to the 2023 @CIFLACS Boys Soccer Div II Championship! @ErikSarni1 @latsondheimer pic.twitter.com/0cZ3ZRSPmF— Jose Duran (@joseduransports) February 23, 2023
In Division II, Carson defeated Garfield on penalty kicks to earn a spot in the finals.
Foothill 6, Santa Margarita 4: Andrew Parker, Ty Cowley, Tyler Hawkins and Andrew Harbour each had two hits for Foothill.
Eastvale Roosevelt 6, Warren 2: Chris Medina struck out four in two shutout innings of relief for 5-0 Roosevelt.
Cleveland 10, Kennedy 3: Kevin Vazquez went three for three to lead the Cavaliers.
Los Alamitos 2, La Mirada 0: Left-hander Cole Tryba struck out 10 in six innings.
Arcadia 9, La Serna 4: Devon Eskridge had two doubles, a single and two RBIs for Arcadia.
Damien 2, Mater Dei 0: Andrew Carter threw the shutout for Damien.
Anaheim Canyon 16, El Toro 1: Cohen Gomez contributed four hits and four RBIs and Johnny Lopez homered to lead Canyon.
Orange Lutheran 1, Great Oak 0: Brianne Weiss struck out 15 and allowed one hit for the Lancers.
Norco 7, Chino Hills 0: Kaley Cook contributed three hits for Norco.
Esperanza 6, La Palma Kennedy 4: Makenna Millman had three RBIs and Charley Duran struck out eight in four innings for Esperanza.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 2, Arcadia 1: Sarah Jacobs struck out four for Notre Dame.
Girls Division V Final: 🏀
Fremont 49 🏆
Camino Nuevo 17
Congratulations to the Lady Pathfinders on their first #CIFLACS championship! ☝️👏 pic.twitter.com/bcOdu58ReC— CIF LA City Section (@CIFLACS) February 23, 2023
Fremont 49, Camino Nuevo 17: The Pathfinders won the City Section Division V championship.
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