CORNER KICKS PREP SOCCER NEWS AND FEATURES FROM AROUND THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY.

Byline: Matthew Kredell and Erik Boal

CRESPI PULLS OFF STUNNER

Crespi of Encino pulled off the biggest boys' soccer upset of the year Saturday, beating Loyola of Los Angeles 1-0.

It was tough to see this one coming. The Celts were in fifth place in the Mission League, coming off a disappointing loss to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks. Loyola (20-3-1) was ranked No. 1 in Div. II by the Southern Section and No. 14 in the nation by StudentSportsSoccer.com.

``I'm still in shock,'' Crespi sweeper Ian Duffy said. ``Going into the game, I don't know. I didn't think we were going to win. But I knew if we did, it would be awesome.''

Crespi finally was playing a home game after rain washed out several earlier this month, and it had its preseason starting 11 in place for only the second time this season - injuries, illnesses and the football playoff run had limited players' availability.

By all accounts, Loyola won the game everywhere but on the scoreboard. Crespi scored the only goal on a penalty kick by sophomore Steve Azau, his first goal of the season. Loyola dominated possession and kept pressure on the Celts much of the game but could not get the ball past Duffy, stopper Sean Anborn and Crespi's defense.

Goalkeeper Brandon Ibarra made some important saves in the second half.

``It did seem like we were playing defense for 40 minutes in the second half, but they didn't get many good shots for the time of possession they had,'' Duffy said. ``Our defense held strong when they got close.''

Crespi hadn't beaten Loyola in eight years. The victory put the Celts in the playoff race and gave them confidence.

``Now our team is hyped up and ready to play,'' Duffy said. ``Everyone is pumped up for the rest of the season.''

DEFENDING CITY CHAMPS LOSE ON SIDELINES

Canoga Park's first loss of the season came Thursday on a swift move of the hand by the referee.

With three minutes remaining in a 2-2 tie against Hollywood, Canoga Park coach Jake Gwin was given a red card for questioning the referee's knowledge of the rules. Without a coach, Canoga Park (7-1-2, 4-1) was disqualified.

Gwin was unhappy about the decision and is appealing to the City Section. He said his team will accept the loss and that he wants to get the red card off his record as a matter of principle.

``It was completely unjust,'' said Gwin, who had to miss Monday's victory over North Hollywood. ``I didn't use any profanity. I didn't even yell at him. I don't think he spoke much English.

``I told him he had to make the same calls on one side of the field as the other, and he gave me a yellow card. I said, 'You're going to give me a yellow card for that?' Then he gave me a red card.'''

Hollywood tied the score against the defending City Section champions with five minutes to play.

Gwin said the referee apparently did not know that issuing a red card to the coach forces the team to forfeit the game, as he was ready to continue. Gwin said he was upset that the referee was allowing Hollywood to make substitutions when it didn't have the ball.

Athletic director Lori Thomas subbed for Gwin in Monday's game.

WHO'S HOT

Chad Borak, Highland

For years, Borak has been among Highland's top defensive midfielders. As a senior, he has been asked to be more offense-minded. He leads the team with 11 goals, scoring both in Highland of Palmdale's Golden League victory Friday over Lancaster.

Michael Clegg, Canyon

Expected to provide much of the scoring for Canyon this season, Clegg had just one goal in the first 10 games. With a brief flurry last week, Clegg has Canyon contending in the Foothill League. Clegg scored three goals in a 4-1 upset of Saugus on Wednesday, then followed with another goal Friday in a victory over Burroughs of Burbank.

Eric Blanco, Sylmar

After scoring all three goals in Sylmar's 3-1 victory Thursday over Van Nuys, Blanco was averaging a goal a game. He kept it up with another goal Monday against Kennedy. He has 14 goals and three assists in 14 games to lead Sylmar to a 12-2 record.

LEAGUE UPDATES

SUNSET SIX

Salvador Hernandez, who scored the winning goal in the City championship game as a Canoga Park freshman last season, broke his ankle in early in Thursday's game against Hollywood. The hero of the only City championship in Canoga Park athletic history could miss the rest of the season. Coach Jake Gwin hopes to have Hernandez back for the playoffs.

MISSION

Crespi coach Rob Kodama missed his first soccer game in 15 years Thursday, but for good reason. Kodama's wife gave birth to their first child Wednesday. The boy, Ethan, weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces. Crespi lost Thursday's game to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 1-0. The Celts gave Kodama a gift Saturday in his first game back by upsetting Loyola.

FOOTHILL

Hart of Newhall remains the area's only undefeated team on the field. The Indians' record took a hit last Wednesday when the Southern Section declared Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Valencia a forfeit loss. Hart forward Matt Valaika was given a red card in Monday's victory over Saugus in the Hart tournament final. According to Southern Section rules, a player ejected from the previous contest cannot participate or attend the next contest. Valaika didn't play with the Indians, but he was on the sidelines. Hart coach Louis Romero, in his first season, was unaware of the rule. Valencia did not receive a victory because of Hart's mistake. The Vikings made their own mistake, allowed red-carded Manny Pardo to watch the game from the stands. Both teams go down in the official books as forfeiting the game, making it a rare contest with two losers.

WHO'S HOT

Sahar Haghdan, Highland

Since a 4-2 loss to rival Quartz Hill on Jan. 6, the Long Beach State-bound striker has led the Bulldogs to seven consecutive victories. Haghdan has eight goals and three assists during the streak for Highland, which plays host to Quartz Hill on Saturday.

Alexa Deever and Morgan Liggera, Chatsworth

Since a 3-0 loss to El Camino Real of Woodland Hills on Jan. 14, the Chancellors have won three in a row, with goalkeeper Liggera recording shutouts in all three. Deever has scored three of Chatsworth's four goals during the stretch, including both in Monday's 2-0 win over Granada Hills.

Jessica Gordon, Village Christian

One of the region's most prolific scorers, the junior increased her career goal total to 87 with two tallies in Tuesday's 5-0 romp over host Glendale. Gordon set a program record with 37 goals as a freshman and almost matched the total last year, scoring 36.

Oak Park

The Eagles (6-3-3) have been one of the region's hottest teams, winning its four Tri-Valley League games by a combined 12-2 margin. Samantha Stoll has scored five goals and Arrica Vitanza has three in league play for Oak Park, which also has received strong play from Tatiana Camacho and Rachel Levine.

SUPER SOPHS

A look at a dozen outstanding sophomores in the region.

Katie Coulas, Thousand Oaks

Senior Natasha Belak-Berger gets a lot of attention for her goal-scoring prowess, but Coulas' play in the midfield is a big reason why the Lancers are leading the Marmonte League.

Shannon Cox, Quartz Hill

One of the talented young midfielders in the Golden League - along with Palmdale's Stacie Pearson - Cox's play has been critical in the Rebels' pursuit of another league title.

Leslie Gomez, Louisville

With Northwestern-bound forward Jenny Dunn sidelined most of the season with injuries, Gomez - a midfield playmaker - has been the Royals' most valuable player.

Katy Hahn, Agoura

Her speed and ball-handling on the outside provide the Chargers with another offensive weapon to go with Kendall Dreyer, Alicia Herczeg, fellow sophomore Natalie Lemonnier and Kelley Ross.

Shannon Hart, Harvard-Westlake

Part of one of the region's best midfields, she excels playing opposite fellow speedster Ali Riley on the wing, with Sheera Goren anchoring the attack in the middle.

Janet Mendez, Highland

After scoring 17 goals as a freshman, this Mexican national team pool player has combined with senior Sahar Haghdan to form one of the best offensive duos in the region.

Kylie McDonald, Westlake

Carried the Warriors' offense during the first month of the season with her ability to create attacks from midfield. Has also provided a strong defensive presence for the Warriors.

Michelle Oakes, El Camino Real

Trying to contain one member of the Oakes family is tough enough, but with Michelle controlling the midfield and Katie, a junior, leading the defense, the Conquistadores are tough to beat.

Dominique Penaranda, Hart

Always a threat to score, Penaranda might possess the hardest shot among region sophomores. With goalkeeper Brittany Tippet also a sophomore, the future looks bright for the Indians.

Nicole Sweetman, Oaks Christian

Without question, the fastest player in the class - and she could wind up being the best player, too. Along with sophomore Alex Kaplan, has excelled in the midfield and at forward.

Ayana Sumiyasu, Flintridge Prep

Has shown, at times, that she might be the best goalkeeper in the region. Chardee Galan and Lauren Von Der Ahe also are part of Rebels' talented sophomore class.

Jenna Williams, Simi Valley

With sophomore Cortney Kammerer and senior Krista Kammerer sidelined with ACL injuries, Williams, a forward, has stepped up and led the Pioneers in the tough Marmonte League.

NOTE: This list doesn't include Flintridge Sacred Heart's Stefanie Chan or Royal's Kristin Faerber, who are sidelined the remainder of the season with injuries.

PULLING RANK

Here are the best sophomore classes in the region:

1. El Camino Real

There's a reason the Conquistadores are in the hunt for the City Section title every year: depth. Michelle Oakes leads this talented group, which also features defenders Erin Kelly and Erin O'Leary and goalkeeper Ashley Menin.

2. Canyon

While seniors Nini Loucks and Shannon Omahen steal the spotlight with their play on offense, the Cowboys have excelled in midfield and on the back line because of Natalie Eichten, Michelle Moore, Chelsea Seidenglanz, Mikayla Schutz and Gina Walker.

3. Westlake

Kylie McDonald is one of the Warriors' leading scorers, and Kate Edwards has been a consistent contributor on offense. Kelly Adamski and Hillary MacDonald also are from a talented class of 2007.

4. Valencia

Hart might have the marquee sophomore in the Foothill League in Dominique Penaranda, but Valencia gets the nod over its rival because of depth. The Vikings have seven sophomores, led by goalkeeper Brooke Gauvin, Adriana Hermosillo, Jackie Keeley and Alice Kong.

5. Paraclete

The Spirits are the best-kept secret in the Antelope Valley because of this class. Natalie Gutierrez is a legitimate scorer, and she is complemented by Merakka Augenstein, Chelsea Kelly, Elizabeth Lambert and goalkeeper Taylor Wright.

LEAGUE UPDATES

LIBERTY

Viewpoint of Calabasas might have four freshmen in the lineup, but the Patriots showed Monday they're ready to challenge for the league title after not qualifying for the Southern Section Div. VI playoffs last season. Behind goals from Brittany Beisswanger and Mandy Safenowitz, Viewpoint (6-1-2) posted a 2-1 victory over defending league champion and division co-champion Windward of Los Angeles. Beisswanger had a hat trick in Friday's 8-0 rout of Providence of Burbank.

OLYMPIC

L.A. Baptist of North Hills took a big step toward securing a Southern Section Div. V playoff berth Monday with a 2-1 victory over rival Village Christian of Sun Valley. Breanna Thornton scored a goal and assisted Noelle Kauffman's for L.A. Baptist (9-3, 2-1), which rebounded from Friday's 3-1 loss to Valley Christian.

WEST VALLEY

El Camino Real of Woodland Hills' bid for a fifth consecutive league title improved Monday with Chatsworth's 2-0 victory over Granada Hills. El Camino Real (10-3-1) had beaten Chatsworth 3-0, then played Granada Hills to a 1-1 draw, which created a tie atop the league standings before Monday's result. Granada Hills plays host today to upstart Taft of Woodland Hills.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 4 boxes

Photo:

(1) HIGHLAND'S CHAD BORAK

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

(2) LOUISVILLE'S LESLIE GOMEZ

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

(3) JAKE GWIN

Box:

(1) BOYS TOP 1O

(2) SEVEN-DAY FORECAST

(3) GIRLS TOP 10

(4) SEVEN-DAY FORECAST