DAY IN SPORTS: Q.H. BOYS MAKE THEIR STATEMENT.

Byline: Daily News

Hidden away deep in the Antelope Valley, the Quartz Hill boys' soccer team is seeking the spotlight that has eluded it the past few years despite dominating its area.

It seems only fitting that the Rebels' biggest win in years was buried on a practice field during the opening day of the Royal tournament.

With the stadium being used for another game, people lined the muddy sidelines as Quartz Hill remained undefeated by beating City power El Camino Real of Woodland Hills 2-1 Wednesday morning.

When the game ended, there was no ceremony or trophy presentation. In terms of the tournament, this was just one first-round game. But for the Rebels, the game meant so much more.

``This was like a statement,'' said midfielder Kiel McClung, who scored the Rebels' first goal. ``People say that because we are from the Antelope Valley, we can't hang with teams like this.''

Quartz Hill (12-0), which knocked off Alemany of Mission Hills 3-0 later in the day and plays Oxnard in today's quarterfinals, showed it could be just as physical as the Conquistadores. After El Camino (8-3-2) went up 1-0 when Jason Lara scored on a penalty kick five minutes into the game, the Rebels responded with McClung's goal five minutes later.

The game went scoreless for the next hour. Quartz Hill lost its best offensive player, Nick Angelillo, when he got his second yellow card in the beginning of the second half for ``looking inciteful,'' according to the referee.

It seemed like El Camino, with its tradition, would take control of the game. But it never did. The Rebels took the lead when freshman reserve forward El Shaddai Bent scored on an assist from McClung with seven minutes remaining.

``This is a great win for our valley and our program,'' Quartz Hill coach Andre Matalon said. ``We just beat ECR. They won the City championship and this tournament last year. And we just knocked them out.''

ECR was playing without goalkeeper Raul Calderon, who is in Germany on the national team.

- Matthew Kredell

In other Royal tournament boys' soccer games:

--Grant 4, Camarillo 1: Remy Salvador, Jonathan Uribe, Eddie Perez and Antonio Lopez scored for the Lancers of Van Nuys (5-2).

--Chatsworth 2, Moorpark 0: Edwin Garcia assisted on goals by Edgar Ledezma and Alvaro Yanes for the Chancellors (4-3-1). Moorpark was without sweeper Zack Penprase, who broke his wrist in a snowboarding accident over Christmas break.

--North Hollywood 3, Royal 1: Edgardo Martinez scored two goals, and Marcelo Ramos had two assists to lead the Huskies (8-4-1) over the tournament host (4-5-3).

--Reseda 2, Thousand Oaks 1: Williams Sims scored twice and Luis Hernandez assisted twice for the Regents (4-4). Miguel Morales scored for Thousand Oaks' (5-3-5).

--Thousand Oaks 2, Canyon 0: Diego Barrera scored off a header that hit the crossbar, and Morales also scored from a Brian Siu assist for the Lancers.

-Jack Pollon

Also:

--Attention prep basketball coaches: Beginning Monday, Jan. 14, the Daily News is asking all of our local high school boys' and girls' basketball coaches to report their team's individual statistics every Monday. Stats will be taken between noon and 5 p.m., and can be reported by calling [phone] or faxing them to [phone].

PRIME TIME PLAYERS

Girls' basketball

--Shannon Kelly (Agoura) 16 points

--Holly Stewart (Oak Park) 16 points

--Clarissa Ricks (Reseda) 15 points, 13 rebounds

Boys' soccer

--Edgardo Martinez (North Hollywood) two goals

--Williams Sims (Reseda) two goals

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PRIME TIME PLAYERS (see text)