GIRLS' SOCCER: WESTLAKE SHOWS IT'S STILL TOP IN AREA WESTLAKE 3, CHAMINADE 0.

Byline: Lauren Gustus Staff Writer

Michelle Larson left the game early to participate in the Christmas concert at school. Ashley Jones arrived late because of a family emergency.

But the Westlake girls' soccer team put the comings and goings aside early, proving they again will be the area's team to beat with a 3-0 victory over a talented Chaminade of West Hills team Thursday evening.

``We have a lot of good players,'' Westlake coach Frank Marino said. ``A lot of new pieces to the puzzle. But it came together well tonight.''

Westlake (2-0) lost seven seniors from last year's Southern Section Div. II championship team, and many speculated this year's edition might be too young and too inexperienced to vie for the title again.

Freshman Kate Edwards, one of the Warriors' younger players, answered the criticism. She scored two goals (one in the eighth minute and one in the 20th) to put Westlake ahead 2-0 at halftime.

It was the first time she had played forward.

``I looked at her before the game and thought she was our best option,'' Marino said.

Erika Baer set up Edwards' second goal with a nearly perfect cross from the right wing. On the goal line, Baer had a clean look at the goal after faking out her defender.

Chaminade (0-1-1) made a few runs into Westlake's territory, but the Eagles didn't manage a shot on goal until the second half. They didn't come out as aggressively as Westlake and they gave the Warriors too much space to attack.

``Mentally and physically they were tougher,'' coach J.T. May said. ``It will be a challenge for us to come back from an old-fashioned kick in the behind. ... It's humbling.''

Chaminade was missing one of its best players, senior Tina Lutizetti, who was out with a sore knee. She will have an MRI this week to determine the extent of the injury. May thinks his team has the character to bounce back from the loss.

Westlake, which has scored 10 goals in its first two games, got its third goal in the 81st minute. Michelle Kanama fired a shot from the right side of the field and it deflected off a Chaminade defender before finding the back of the net.

Jones, who arrived with 25 minutes remaining, warmed up quickly and had a scoring chance and a smart pass to the opposite field that set up another Westlake opportunity. Marino said he had no idea the senior, who will play for Notre Dame next year, was coming.

Lauren Gustus, [phone]

lauren.gustus(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Westlake's Erika Baer, left, tries to get past Alison Fass of Chaminade during the Warriors' victory Thursday.

Joel P. Lugavere/Special to the Daily News