FRESHMAN'S RETURN KEY IN H.-W. VICTORY GIRLS' SOCCER: SPEIDEL HAS GOAL, ASSIST FOR WOLVERINES.

Byline: Erik Boal

Special to the Daily News

Katie Speidel didn't expect to make an appearance in the Southern Section Div. I girls' soccer playoffs, not after being sidelined with a knee injury in December.

But the freshman's presence Saturday ensured it wouldn't be the last appearance for Harvard-Westlake of Studio City's nine seniors.

Speidel, seeing her most action since suffering a partially torn meniscus, recorded a goal and an assist in 45 minutes for the host Wolverines in a 3-1 opening-round victory over San Marcos of Santa Barbara (8-8-5).

"I'm just happy to play in the playoffs, but I didn't think I would play this much," said Speidel, who set up Alyssa Garcia's goal in the 30th minute. "I'm really happy I got so many great balls from my teammates. It was all them. I thought I'd play a little less in the second half, but I just want to make the most of my time."

After suffering a 1-0 first-round loss last year to Ayala of Chino Hills, Harvard-Westlake (9-6-6) was on the attack from the outset, scoring in the 22nd minute when Donilyn Hunter-Sallustio headed a Katie Shelley free kick past Kaitlyn Mendoza.

After Garcia converted Speidel's cross, Juli Spaventa scored shortly before halftime for San Marcos.

Harvard-Westlake coach Richard Simms finally celebrated the victory when a pass by a San Marcos defender ricocheted off Speidel and into the net in the 80th minute.

"I was a little disappointed and frustrated because for all that I did, I couldn't get the ball in the back of the net," Speidel said. "The end goal wasn't pretty. You could call it an accident. But I finally got one in."

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