BOYS' SOCCER: ZERO-SUM GAIN FOR LOYOLA KLASILA, CUBS GET 16TH SHUTOUT IN WIN.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP Staff Writer

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Kevin Klasila acknowledges it is possible, but the rest of the Mission League boys' soccer teams must be wondering if there really is a way to get a ball past the Loyola of Los Angeles goalkeeper.

Klasila and the Cubs posted their seventh consecutive shutout and 16th overall this season as they defeated host St. Francis of La Canada Flintridge 1-0 on Monday to increase their league lead over the Golden Knights to 11/2 games with three games remaining in the regular season.

Loyola sophomore forward Casey Buckley scored the game's lone goal with an assist from Joe MacMillan midway through the first half.

St. Francis (21-4-0, 7-2-0) intensified its attack in the second half and had several scoring opportunities, but each time was turned away by Klasila in what has become a familiar occurrence.

``He was phenomenal once again,'' Cubs coach Chris Walter said of Klasila, a Santa Clara-bound senior. ``Our defense has been outstanding throughout league, this isn't the first time. He's really been phenomenal. Our entire defense has been very good.''

Defense has been one of the biggest differences for Loyola (19-5-3, 8-0-1) since winning just four of its first 10 games while adjusting to a lineup loaded with newcomers. The Cubs allowed 12 goals during that initial stretch, but have surrendered only seven in the 18 games since then.

``Every year we set a goal for 20 shutouts,'' Klasila said. ``We've got 16 now. We're just working for that goal. Our coach always talks about how important defense is. He says if they can't score, they can't win.''

Loyola, which was facing a St.Francis team that scored a combined 15 goals in its previous five games, has allowed just one goal during league play.

``We just take it one game at a time,'' Klasila said. ``We try to get up for all of them. But this is the most intense game we've had in league.''

If league title implications weren't enough, there was also the matter of sibling rivalry to add further intensity to the contest. Buckley was playing against his older brother, Danny, a senior defender for the Golden Knights. The game was the second time the brothers met as opponents and the first in which Casey scored against Danny.

``It was fun to see them tugging shirts,'' Walter said. ``I don't think they were smiling too much.''

St. Francis wasn't smiling much at the end of the game, either. The Golden Knights had a barrage of opportunities during stoppage time, but the first attempt sailed just over the crossbar, the next wide left, and another chance ended with Klasila snagging the ball amid a crowd a few feet from the goal.

``That's the highest amount of adrenaline I've had,'' Klasila said. ``It just makes you want to fly. ... This feels great.''

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Photo:

Loyola's Casey Buckley, left, and St. Francis' Jordan Pink battle for the ball during Monday's game.

Sarah Reingewirtz/Staff Photographer