February 26, 2008

BOYS SOCCER: Griffins fall in overtime to Newbury Park 1-0 in CIF semi-finals

The Los Al Boys soccer season came to a disappointing end Tuesday afternoon when it fell to Newbury Park 1-0 in overtime in a a CIF Division I semi-final match on the victors field.

Newbury Park scored late in ninth minute of the first 10-minute overtime and made the goal stand up through the rest of that period and the subsequent second 10-minute period.

Los Al scored an apparent game-winning goal with about three minutes remaining in regulation play when Chasen Ewell headed in a goal which apparently happened after 1) a long throw-in from Wes Feighner to Kevin Venegas in one corner who headed it to Ewell on the other (per Los Al parents), or 2) after a Victor Bravo free kick (per the Ventuta County Star report), or 3) after a corner kick (per our photographer's report, but we don't pay him to be accurate, we pay him to take pict -- wait, we don't pay him at all.) In any case, Ewell was unfortunately ruled offside, to the disbelief of Griffin fans who got another lesson that soccer referees operate in a different parallel universe from us mere mortals....

Griffin parents -- who it's been well documented are non-biased over 99.7% of the time.. or is that 7.99% of the time -- were not at all pleased with the local officiating crew, which apparently allowed Newbury Park players to hack at Tim Seo and Wes Feighner's legs throughout the match. In addition, based on our absolutely neutral survey, Griffin parents were convinced that the Newbury Park player was offside on their team's goal.

In non-subjective issues, Los Al finished the season with a 23-5-3 record. Goalkeeper Nick Brady and the Los Al defense almost recorded their fourth straight shutout of the playoffs. And by reaching the semi-finals, Los Al still has an outside chance at receiving an invite to the first state soccer championships. The brackets for that will be announced next week.

If you have a chance, check out the photos from our photog Mike Janosz. Mike is a local who likes to shoot Los Al games for us when he's not shooting US national team games or doinhg some wicked surf photography.

• Photos at Janoszphotos.com
• Article at Thousand Oaks Acorn

BOYS SOCCER: Feighner, Venegas lead Griffins past No. 2 Milikan; advance to Div I semi-finals against Newbury Park

The Los Al Griffins Boys Soccer team advanced to the CIF Division I semi-finals thanks to a 2-0 win over No. 2 seed Millikan Thursday afternoon at Laurel High School.

The Griffins will play their semi-final match at Newbury Park on Tuesday with the winner advancing to next Saturday's CIF Division I championship against the winner of the Santa Margarita-Mater Dei match.

Or at least we think they will play Newbury Park. There have been conflicting reports on the outcome of the Newbury Park-San Clemente game.

The Los Al Los Al-Millikan match was played before a cheering crowd of between 300-400 spectators— including former Griffins (and current MLS players Jonathan Bornstein and Mike Munoz — (shown right). Both played in the 2001 semi-final match-up between the two schools, a thrilling but heartbreaking overtime loss played under some conditions that left a lot of bad feelings between the two programs. Asked if yesterday's Griffin win made up for the '01 loss, Bornstein said "This is great. I still have bad dreams about that game."

This one had all the makings of another nail-biter. Overall, it was an exciting and evenly matched game, although the Griffins probably had more opportunities.

Los Al's scoring was provided by senior co-captains Wes Feighner and Kevin Venegas. Feighner's goal came late in the first half, as he took the ball just inside the midfield stripe and pushed the ball past one defender, deked another and outran a third and found himself one-on-one with the goalie about 18 yards out and with a streaking Tim Seo on his right. After a hesitation which froze the goalie Feighner, despite a severely bruised ankle, sent the ball into the lower right side of the goal for the score.

The game was still in doubt until late in the second half when Victor Bravo sent a free kick from just inside midfield to the goal. The Millikan goalie went up from his line and caught the ball over his head but as he brought it down, he dropped it where it hit the head of a charging Venegas and bounced into the net. While this involved some luck, it was well-deserved, coming just moments after a Venegas flick off another long Bravo free kick was stopped by the Ram keeper.

Nick Brady had five saves for Los Al and recorded his third straight playoff shutout, with help -- especially in the second half -- from his back line of Josh Coppinger, Bryan Hudson, Kyle Oyama, and Hess Blankenship and defensive mid Chasen Ewell.

Los Al improved its record to 23-4-3. Millikan finished its season at 22-3-3

• Press-Telegram story
• Press-Telegram photos
• photos from Mike Janosz photos

February 19, 2008

BOYS SOCCER: Venegas' goal gives Los Al 1-0 2nd round win over Chino Hills

The Los Al Griffins Boys soccer team made a first half goal by senior co-captain Kevin Venegas hold up for a 1-0 win over Chino Hills in a second round CIF Division I playoff soccer match Tuesday afternoon at Chino Hills.

Venegas goal came late in the first half off an assist by senior Tim Seo, and handed Chino Hills only its second defeat of the season. The Sierra League champs finished the season 24-2-3. Goalkeeper Nick Brady collected the shutout for Los Al (22-4-3) who will now play in Thursday's quarterfinals against Millikan, 1-0 winners over Los Osos.

Millikan, the No. 2 seed in Division I, has already played two home games so Los Al should be the home team.

The two schools have played a number of storied games over the years and, while things have cooled down lately, for a while there was no love lost between the schools.

The 2001 semi-final was one of the classic games in Los Al soccer history. It was played amidst one of the rainiest Februarys ever that caused numerous delays and then a compacted playoff schedule. Los Al fielded one of the fastest teams in the section that featured future MLSers Jonathan Bornstein and Mike Munoz. After a grueling overtime quarter-final win, the Rams did not want to face the speedy Griffins on tired legs the following day. So when the Griffins showed up at Millikan they found that the Millikan coaches had told the officials the game had been cancelled -- even though that was not the case, nor was it their decision. Afyer a flurry of phone calls and accusations, the game was played the following day, but Millikan moved the game from its normal soccer field -- which was relatively high and dry -- to a very muddy football practice field that was much smaller than a normal soccer field, and definitely slower. Despite the pre-game antics, the match was classic with both teams bringing their "A" game and Millikan finally prevailed in overtime with a 3-2 win.

• CIF playoff brackets

February 15, 2008

LAHS BOYS SOCCER: Sunset champ Griffins open playoffs with 1-0 win over Bell Gardens

Los Al Boys soccer team , co-champions of the Sunset League, won their first round CIF Division I playoff game, downing Bell Gardens 1-0 before a large crowd at Laurel High School Friday afternoon.

Senior Tim Seo scored the game's only goal early in the first half, Although the Griffins threatened at times in the second half, even hitting the post a few times, they were content to settle into a defensive mode for the rest of the match against Bell Gardens, the No. 2 team in the Almont League.

The win, which gives Los Al a 21-4-3 overall record, was the first game for the Griffins after they downed Newport Harbor in their finale to clinch a share of the boys title. Senior Tim Seo scored two goals in that match, giving him six goal in the final three games.

CIF opponent Bell Gardens finished with a 12-5-4 record. Los Al will now play next Tuesday at Chino Hills, 1-0 winners over Harvard-Westlake. Chino won the Sierra League and has a 25-1-3 record.

• Boys CIF Playoff brackets

February 11, 2008

SOCCER: Boys open CIF Playoffs Friday against Bell Gardens, Girls face Lakewood on Saturday

The CIF Division I soccer playoffs begin this weekend with both Los Al teams drawing home matches and decent draws.

The Griffin boys begin play on Friday at Laurel High School against Bell Gardens, the No. 2 team in the Almont League. Bell Gardens finished with a 12-4-4 record.

If the boys win they would play next Tuesday against the winner of the Chino Hills-Harvard-Westlake game. Chino won the Sierra League and H-W was No. 3 in the Mission League.

The Boys were ranked No. 7 in the final CIF Boys Div I rankings despite their 20-4-3 record and co-championship of the Sunset League, but that was most likely due to a schedule which saw them play only one Division I Top 10 team.

February 7, 2008

Griffin JVs and Frosh-Soph finish season with win, tie in make-up games against FV

The Los Al junior varsity and frosh-soph teams came away with a win and tie respectively in make-up games at Fountain Valley and concluded their season Friday.

The Griffin JVs downed the Barons, 3-1. Steve Koteras got Los Al on the board first, after running down a ball off the back of Jaiye Madourie, then rocketing a goal for the first score. FV soon tied the game but that would be their last attempt of the day.

Los Al went back ahead in the second half with a long goal from Chris Ventura from the right side assisted Koteras and Madourie, and then Madourie finished the scoring with a header. Goalkeeper Anthony Santos finished with three saves saves.

The Freosh-Soph squads fought to a 2-2 tie. Los Al got on the board first when Trenton Rivas sent a pass to the center where Patrick Lilley collected it and sent it into the left corner. The Barons responded with a goal of their own ten minutes later and it stayed tie at the half.

About four minutes into the second half, Adam Reitz got a breakaway and sent it into the box where Tyler Bennett somehow came up with it fired it into the net. The Griffins piled on top of him in celebration like it was the championship! Eight minutes later, Fountain Valley scored a goal off an unfortunate bounce that went over the Griffin GK to tie the game. Well fought game to end the season.

February 6, 2008

Los Al grabs share of Sunset title for third year in a row

With Tim Seo scoring his sixth goal in two games, the Los Al boys soccer team clinched a share of the Sunset League championship by definitively defeating Newport Harbor 4-0 at Laurel High School.

The win gave the Griffins a 7-2-1 Sunset League mark (20-4-3 overall) and with Fountain Valley defeating Marina 2-1, the two teams will share the Sunset League championship. The title makes it a three-peat of sorts for the Griffins who won the title outright in 2006, and 2007.

In a confusing Sunset League foLos Al's second half record

Kevin Venegas opened the scoring for the Griffins, collecting a Wes Feighner pass and delivering a sharp shot to the corner of the net for the only score of the first half.

Seo scored next, taking a pass from Feighner. Feighner scored next, taking a header from Billy Hoffman and then blasting the ball past the GK. Seo finished off the scoring, by running down the ball after a poor clear and firing it past the keeper.

In the younger levels, the Los Al Junior Varsity won 4-0. Jaiye Madourie scored twice, with Mando Monjarez adding one and Evan Wilkes converting a penalty kick. Matt Renick and Anthony Santos shared the shutout

The frosh-soph fell to Newport 1-0.

February 1, 2008

Griffins remain atop Sunset League with 3-0 win over Edison; host Newport Harbor on Wednesday

The Los Al Griffins boys soccer team downed Edison 3-0 on Friday, and remained tied atop the Sunset League standings with only one league game remaining.

The win improves their league mark to 6-2-1 and gives them a 19-4-3 mark. They went into the day's match tied with Fountain Valley, which edged Newport Harbor 2-1 on Friday.

The Griffins got a goal and assist from seniors Wes Feigner and Tim Seo, and Sean Siemens added the team's third goal. Siemens was brought up from JV to help fill in for the injured Victor Bravo and Kevin Venegas.

Feigner scored the first goal, heading in a free kick by Seo, then took a ball down the line and fed a cross to Siemens who put it away for bthe second goal. Seo finished the scoring with a laser from 30 yards out.

Goalkeeper Nick Brady had three saves en route to the shutout.

Both younger level teams won, the JVs prevailing 2-0 and the Frosh-Soph coming away with a 2-1 victory.

In the JV match, Armando “Mando” Monjaraz scored the first goal, after taking a nice pass from Ryan Butcher. Michael Lindsey netted the second goal. Goalkeeper Anthony Santos had another shutout performance and stopped some long shots from midfield with at least 4 saves.

The Frosh-Soph avenged a a 3-0 loss to the Chargers in the first round of league play. Cole Sawyer's goal finished off a nice sequence that began with a defensive win by Andy Nandan, who sent a nice pass to Adam Reitz, who one touched to Trevor Pepper, who one touched to Sawyer who beat the keeper with a left foot shot to the right corner. The teams went into the half tied 1-1. But fifteen minutes into the second stanza, Trenton Rivas sent a cross into the box to Patrick Lilly who was hammered by the keeper, drawing a penalty kick which Trevor Pepper stepped up and converted the PK which held up for the game-winner.

Nick Blankenship, splitting duty in the net, had four saves in the first half and Daniel Boyer recorded six in the second half. 6 saves.

Los Al finishes out its regular league season, hosting Newport Harbor on Wednesday.

• box score

January 28, 2008

BOYS SOCCER: Seo scores four as Griffins sink Marina 4-2 and stay atop Sunset League

Senior midfielder Tim Seo (shown right) scored four goals as the Los Al Boys Soccer team downed the Marina Vikings 4-2 in a Sunset League match Monday afternoon at Laurel School.

The win kept the Griffins atop the Sunset League with a 5-2-1 record, although both Fountain Valley and Esperanza could tie the Griffins when they play some rained-out games. Los Al is 18-4-3 overall.

Seo got help from all areas Monday, scoring his first goal when defender Chasen Ewell hit him on the run. Billy Hoffman drew the keeper out then passed to Seo who converted for his second. The third came on a deflection after a Brian Mendoza shot. A Marina score made it 3-1 at halftime. Seo finished his scoring attack by drawing a penalty in the box, and then converting the PK.

Los Al returns to action on Friday against Edison at Laurel, weather permitting.

The Griffin Junior Varsity and Frosh-Soph matches were again postponed due to poor field conditions -- i.e., Lake Los Alamitos makes for a lousy place to play soccer. No decision on when the games will be played has been made yet.

Griffin senior Wes Feighner was named the OC Register's Boys Soccer Player of the Week in today's paper. Fellow senior Brian Mendoza (shown left) has been accepted by Stanford University.

Jan. 26, 2008

Frosh-Soph team reaches Corona del Mar Tourney Championship game

The Los Al. Boys Frosh-Soph soccer team won two games on Saturday and then came up a goal short in the afternoon's championship match at the Corona del Mar Soccer Tornament.

The Griffins fell 1-0 to Aliso Niguel in the tile game, after earlier downing host Corona del Mar 4-0, and Mater Dei 12-0 in the morning matches.

Trevor Pepper and Giani Pecero each notched two goals in the win overf Corona del Mar, while keeper Daniel Boyer recorded the shutout. Against Mater Dei, sophomore Matt Worthington beat two defenders to the cornetr and sent a cross that freshman Patrick Lilley headed in for the game winner. The Griffins defense, led by Evan Martinez, Anthony Dimatteo, Mark Pajaud and Joey Imamura recorded their 4th shutout of the tournament. Goalkeeper Nick Blankenship recorded 4 saves.

Los Al had its opportunities but just couldn't put them away in the championship match. The team outscored their opponents 16-1 in the two weekend tournament.

January 28, 2008

Latest CIF Division I Boys rankings

1. Millikan
2. Santa Margarita
3. Servite
4. Cabrillo (LB)
5. Jordan
6. St Francis
7. Quartz Hill
8. Aliso Niguel
9. Mater Dei
10. Los Alamitos

Latest OC Register Orange County rankings.

O.C. Top 10
(Updated Jan. 28)

1. Santa Margarita (Trinity) 13-2-4
2. Servite (Trinity) 20-3-2
3. Fullerton (Freeway) 15-1-1
4. Saddleback (Golden West) 17-2-1
5. Santa Ana (Golden West) 15-1-3
6. Los Alamitos (Sunset) 17-4-3
7. La Habra (Freeway) 16-3-1
8. Aliso Niguel (South Coast) 15-5-1
9. Foothill (Sea View) 11-4-4
10. Nater Dei (Trinity) 15-5-2

January 19, 2008

FROSH-SOPH: Griffins win first two games at Corona Del Mar Tourney

by Doc Rivers

Last year's FS team won the Corona Del Mar Tournament and this year 's squad will be playing in the playoffs again Saturday starting at 830am if rain does not delay with field closures. Congratulations and a good look at the continued success in our soccer program with the great performance detailed below by supporters on the sidelines. Thank you for the details!

1st Game - Los Al 5, Eisenhower 0

Los Al started strong with an early unassisted goal by Cole Sawyer. Matt Worthington followed with a goal assisted by Kyle Freeman. Cole scored again with an assist from Trevor Pepper. Trevor then got the next goal with an assist form Salvador Alcazar. Tyler Bennett then scored from a pass from Trevor. There was also another goal from Cole Sawyer that was called back – the referee ruled that the goalie had control of the ball before it went into the net. Overall the Griffins had 14 SOGs. The Los Al Defense was unbeatable – Doug Welsh, Marc Pajaud, Andy Nandan & Evan Martinez were a dominant force. Our defense only allowed 2 SOGs by Eisenhower which Daniel Boyer and Nick Blankenship stopped. Daniel Boyer played the last couple of minutes on the field and did a nice job on the attack.

2nd Game – Los Al 6, Corona del Mar 0

After a nice rest at Fashion Island and some fun, the Griffins warmed up to their Team music and were pumped up for their second game. Again, they started off strong with another aggressive attack by Cole Sawyer which lead to his 1st goal, unassisted. Kyle Freeman had an unbelievable corner kick that went straight into the goal! Then Cole dribbled the ball down the field for his 2nd unassisted goal. Adam Reitz sent in a great shot in that bounced off the goalie. Trevor had another goal from a nice pass from Matt Chai. Then Matt Chai put one in from a pass from Daniel Boyer. The Los Al defense again denied access to the Corona del Mar offense. Doug Welsh, Marc Pajaud, Andy Nandan, Evan Martinez, Joey Imamura and Anthony DiMatteo were relentless in both games and did a commendable job of redirecting the ball back to our offense to help create scoring opportunities. Overall the Griffins had 12 Shots on Goal. Nick Blankenship had another great game with two saves.

We will play again next Saturday at 8:30 in the playoffs. We are glad to have Marc Pajaud back in action in our defensive line after being out for several weeks with a possible concussion/migrane.

January 18, 2008

VARSITY: Esperanza scores two late goals to down Los Al 3-2

Esperanza came from behind to score two goals in the last five minutes of the match and down Los Alamitos 3-2 in a big Sunset League match Friday afternoon at Laurel High.

The loss gives the two teams a split on the season, with each winning on the other's turf, and dropped Los Al out of a first place tie with Fountain Valley. The Griffins now have a 3-2-1 league record and are 16-4-3 overall.

The Aztecs jumped on top with a header goal about ten minutes into the game. But the Griffins tied it up with about five minutes remaining in the half when Kevin Venegas (who had moments before returned to action after being out for a couple games with a bad ankle) found Tim Seo who scored the goal that sent the match into halftime tied 1-1.

Seo put the Griffins up with an unasssisted score iin the second half, but the Aztecs scored with five minutes left on a header after a free kick and again with a minute left to snatch the victory.

After a short break for final Los Al travels to Fountain Valley next Friday for a must-win match against the Barons.

In younger level action, the Griffin and Aztec JVs played to a scoreless tie with goalkeepers Anthony Santos and Matt Renick sharing the shutout.

In the other match, the Griffin frosh-sophers outlasted the Aztecs and a yellow-card happy ref to post a 3-0 win. Griffins got on the bioard quickky thanks to Salvador Alcazar. Then Trevor Pepper headed in two goals, the first off a pass from Matt Worthington and the second from Marc Pajaud. Goalkeeper Daniel Boyer recorded three saves in the first half and Nick Blankenship kept the shut out with 2 additional saves. The Griffins had 6 yellow cards in the match, including one for an untucked shirt.

• OC Register story
  

January 16, 2008

VARSITY: Bravo's late goal gives Griffins 1-0 win over Newport Harbor

They controlled the action all game, but it took Victor Bravo's goal in the final 30 seconds to give the Los Al boys soccer team a 1-0 win over Newport Harbor on Tuesday afternoon.

The win keeps the Griffins atop the Sunset League with a 3-1-1 mark (16-3-3 overall), tied with Fountain Valley which downed Marina 2-1 on Tuesday.

Los Al begins second round action on Friday, with a home game against Esperanza. Esperanza fell out of the first place tie atop the league by losing to Edison 3-1 Tuesday. They are now 2-2-1

Sunset League
League Overall
Team W-L-T Win % W-L-T Win %
Los Alamitos 3-1-1 0.600 16-3-3 0.727
Fountain Valley 3-1-1 0.600 7-4-2 0.538
Esperanza 2-2-1 0.400 5-3-2 0.500
Marina 2-2-1 0.400 9-5-4 0.500
Edison 1-2-2 0.200 4-5-4 0.308
Newport Harbor 1-4-0 0.200 2-10-1 0.154

January 11, 2008

Griffins, Edison tie 1-1, in 4-way tie atop Sunset League

Playing on Edison's brand new turf soccer field and under their new lights, the Griffins and Chargers tied 1-1 last Friday evening in another competitive Sunset League match which left the standings with four teams tied for first place at 2-1-1.

The Griffins are tied atop the league with Esperanza, Marina and Fountain Valley. Edison is 1-2-1. Newport Harbor is 1-3.

After playing nearly two halves of scoreless action, the Chargers took the lead on a scramble goal in front of the Griffin net with around ten minutes left in regulation, but Los Al answered witha flurry of shots that finally resulted in Andrew Takahashi tying the game in the closing minutes.

The match was a very physical one. Already playing without center midfielder Kevin Venegas who was resting sore ankles, the Griffins also lost senior defender Chasen Ewell who was taken off by cart after getting an elbow in the chin that left him with blood streaming around his neck. But the Edison trainers got him back into the game for the second half.

Los Al will take its league record of 2-1-1 (15-3-3 overall) into Wednesday's match at Newport Harbor. Friday's home match against Esperanza may be played at night at McAuliffe Middle School.

In lower level play, the JVs tied the Chargers 1-0, while the Frosh-Soph fell 3-0.

CIF DIVISION I RANKINGS

1. Servite
2. Santa Margarita
3. Cabrillo (LB)
4. Millikan
5. Los Alamitos
6. St Francis
7. Aliso Niguel
8. Jordan
9. Quartz Hill
10. San Clemente

January 9, 2007

Los Al downs Marina 3-0

The Griffins boys soccer team handed Marina High its first loss of the league season, downing the Vikings 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon.

Los Al jumped in front early and often -- scoring all three of its goals in the first half. Victor Bravo got the Griffins started, putting away a loose ball after the Marina keeper got a hand on a Wes Feigner shot. Feigner notched another assist on a pass to Kevin Venegas in the box. Then Feighner combined with Tim Seo to Andrew Taklahashi for the final goal of the match.

The win gives Los Al a 2-1 match in league and improves their overall record to 15-3-2.

The Los Al JVs fell to Marina 1-0, while the Frosh-Soph won 1-0.

January 4, 2008

FV scores early knockout over Griffins; JV, Frosh-Soph get wins

Two days after a dominating win over league favorite Esperanza, the Los Alamitos learned the hard way not to overlook anybody else in the Sunset League as the Fountain Valley Barons downed Los Al 3-1 on the Griffins home field Friday afternoon.

The skies were ominous but the Barons were more threatening, scoring twice in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the break. The Griffins came out strong in the second half, but Fountain Valley protected their lead with a hunkered back defense which double teamed any Griffin with the ball in their front third of the field. 95% of the second half must have been played in the Fountain Valley half, but on one of the few occasions the ball crossed midfield, the Barons earned a penalty kick which allowed them to go up 3-0.

Los Al kept the pressure on, but had one corner kick header attempt negated by a great diving save by the Baron keeper. Wes Feigner placed 4-5 throws in directly in front of the Fountain Valley goal but Los Al couldn't get the ball into the net until Kevin Venegas until oe of Feigner's throws made it to the far post and Venegas kicked the loose ball way with under five minutes remaining.

The Griffins are now 1-1 in Sunset League and 14-3-2 overall. They resume play next Wednesday at Marina. On Friday they play at Edison.

In the JV match, keepers Matt Renick and Anthony Santos combined for a shutout and Eric Rivers and Jaiye Madourie provided the offense in a 2-0 Los Al win. Rivers goal came in the 39th minute as he blasted a left foot shot into the corner on a long crossing pass from Jaiye Madourie. Madourie scored the second goal, leaping over a charging Baron keeper to finish the shot. Sebastion Calderon fed Madourie on the run.

The Griffin frosh-soph also came away with a win, this one by a 3-2 scoe.
Forward Matt Worthington punched in the first goal 10 minutes into the match off a nice assist from Kyle Freeman. Cole Sawyer scored the second goal after being set up by nice passes from Freeman & Salvador Alcazar. Alcazar scored the game-winner after dribbling past the scrambling FV keeper. Griffin goalie Nick Blankenship had three saves.

January 2, 2008

Griffins trounce Esperanza 5-1 in league opener

The Los Al Griffins boys soccer team served notice to the rest of the Sunset League that the road to a league championship will still go through Los Al, as the Griffins sacked the Aztecs 5-1 at Esperanza in the league opener for both teams.

The Griffins, two-time defending Sunset League champions, are 1-0 in Sunset League play and improved their season mark to 14-2-2.

After a scoreless first half hour, the Griffins scored four goals min the remaining ten minutes of the half to give them a 4-0 lead and send send the Aztec faithful to the shellshock ward, Sophomore Tim Harty got the Griffins on board first, finishing a sequence started by Tim Seo and Bryan Hudson. Soon after, Senior captain Kevin Venegas sent a long pass to fellow captain Wes Feigner who put it away to make it 2-0. Feigner quickly returned the favor, assisting Venegas for the 3rd goal. Feigner then assisted Billy Hoffman to close out the Griffin first half blitzkrieg.

Venegas scored the final Griffin goal off a pass from Tim Seo. Esperanza finalloy got on thje board with 25 minutes remaining but keepers Nick Brady and Drew Leibowitz and the Los Al defensive back line kept the game in check the rest of the way.

Los Al resumes league play on Friday, hosting Fountain Valley. The Varsity game begins at 3pm at Laurel High School. JV and Frosh-Sioph matches will be played at Los Al.

Both the JVs and Frosh-Soph tied their matches.

The JVs tied 1-1 with a goal by Davi Bustillo for the first goal of the game. Zack Kadletz had a couple of close shots on the GK as well as Tyler Glasser on an attempt that went just left of the post.

Frosh Soph tied 0-0 in a match that saw Esperanza receive six yellow cards.

,

December 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2007

Griffin grads prevail 3-2 in annual men and womens' alum matches

Amidst beautiful weather and a appreciative crowd of parents and friends, the Los Al men and women's alumni teams bested their current Los Al counterparts 3-2 in their annual New Years Eve alumni game.

Among the Griffin grads gracing the grass on the boys side were former Griffin standouts Mike Munoz left, (LAHS '01, UC Berkeley, and subject of a unique petition) and Danny Suits (LAHS '06, UCLA) and current MLS player Jon Bornstein (LAHS '02, UCLA, Chivas USA, US National team). Bornstein just had knee surgery last week so he had to limit his activity to coaching the alumni side, which had enough players from the last 15 years to put together three rotations. Incidentally, Bornstein will be inducted into the SoCal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame on January 27, 2008 and also just bought a home in Los Al. (It's close snough to his parents house so his mom can still do his laundry -- at least friends say that's Jon's plan).

Leading the women's alumni side was Susan Palmer (LAHS '99, former Pepperdine All-America, and WUSA player for the San Diego Spirit) and Niccole Grimaldi (LAHS '04, Oklahoma State) and Bo Medina (LAHS '06, Pepperdine All-WCC). LB State midfielder Hayley Bolt had to limit her participation to cheerleading as she is resting her knee to recover from bursitis.

Erin Bay (LAHS '05, Pepperdine) scored two goals for the alumni women. Danny Suits started things off for the alumni men with a nice goal before Wes Feigner put the mjoves on former Griffins coach Trey Scharlin and evened up the match. JV forward Jaiye

Probably 200 parents and friends watched the event and partook in the food -- burgers and dogs provided by Islands (Charlie Ayers, manager), salads by California Pizza Kitchen (Marcie Book, manager) and the grill and equipment once again provided by Charo Chicken (Steve Meisner).

This is the fifth year the men and women's alums have played the game together (although last year they couldn't because of tournament conflicts). But the boys alums have been showing up on New Year's Eve morning for over ten years -- rain or shine. Four years ago, when sheets of rain poured down, the women and the current Griffins boys were smart enough to not play, but the Griffin mens alums showed up and played in the pouring rain and had a great time.

• Photos
• Another article on Jon Bornstein

December 29, 2007

Los Al goes 3-1-1 at Marina Tournament, heads into league play with 13-2-2 record

The Los Al boys soccer team ended a good but still disappointing showing at the Marina Tournament with a 2-2 tie against Blair High of Pasadena in the ninth place game Saturday morning.

The tie gave Los Al a 3-1-1 record in the tournament and improved their non-league mark to 13-2-2. They begin Sunset League play on Wednesday at Esperanza.

After finding themselves down 1-0 at halftime, the Griffins got on the board when senior defender Chasen Ewell tapped in a shot noff a Kevin Venegas assist. Sophomore Tim Harty put Los Al up as he scored off a nice pass from Wes Feighner. A late Blair goal forced the match to end in a tie, with the two teams sharing ninth place.

After a second round loss to Schurr on Thursday afternoon, ninth place was the highest possible finish for Los Al.

That loss gave Los Al a split on the first day of Marina Tournament action. The Grifins opend the tournament by downing Laguna Beach 3-0 in their morning opener. The Griffins were again led by senior captains Feighner and Venegas who both scored and assisted on the other's goal. Billy Hoffman scored the third goal for the Grifs late in the match.

The afternoon loss to Schurr was another one of those "that's soccer" matches, with the Griffins controlling the action but not putting a ball in the net and then Schurr scored the game-winner on an indirect kick which was one of their few real shots on goal in the match.

The Griffins rallied to win both of their Friday matches, beginning with a 3-1 win over San Clemente. Harty, Venegas and Feighner all scored with Tim Seo nothing two assists and Billy Hoffman getting one for himself.

Los Al came back to down Huntington Beach 4-1 in the afternoon match. Venegas began the scoring with a PK after Feigner was fouled in the box. Feigner then served a corner kick which Ewell knocked in. Feigner got a goal of his own from an combo assist by Tim Seo and Andrew "Taco" Takahashi and Hoffman finished the Griffin scoring with a unassisted goal in the second half.

December 22, 2007

Los Al comes up short in shootout at South Torrance semi-finals

The Los Al Griffins Boys Soccer team suffered its first setbacks of the season in the final day of action at the South Torrance Tournament. The Griffins tied Palo Verdes 2-2 and then came up on the short end of a penalty kick shootout in the semi-final game Saturday morning. In the third place game that afternoon, Los Al suffered its first loss of the season and fell to Bellarmine Prep of San Jose 2-1.

In the morning game, Los Al found itself down early when PV converted a penalty kick after the Griffins were called for a handball in the box. Wes Feigner soon tied it up off a Kevin Venegas assist, a but a Los Al defensive miscue led to a second PV score just before the half. Venegas tied the match with a goal in the second half but Los Al couldn't convert some other chances and the match officially ended in a 2-2 tie, and led to the unlucky shootout to see who would advance to the championship match against Santa Monica.

Venegas scored the sole Griffin goal in the Bellarmine contest -- this one coming off yet another long Wes Feigner throw-in, but it wasn't enough as the Griffins suffered their first loss of the season.

Los Al is now 10-1-1 on the season. They return to action on Thursday in the Marina High Tourament.

•   Final tournament brackets & results

December 21, 2007

10-0 Griffins reach South Torrance semi-finals

Matching their best season start ever, the Los Al High boys soccer team won two games yesterday and to advance to the semi-finals of the South Torrance soccer tournament. They will play Palos Verdes at 10am on Saturday morning.

The Griffins began the day with a 4-0 morning win over host South Torrance. Senior Tim Seo (left) scored the only goal of the first half, finishing a sequence that began with a Wes Feigner pass from outside the 18 to Kevin Venegas who fed Seo for the score.

The second half saw Griffin goals scored by Feighner (off an assist from Venegas), and juniors Josh Coppinger, and Kyle Oyama. Nick Brady had two saves to preserve the shutout.

Later in the day, the Griffins downed Mira Costa 2-0 in a tournament quarter-final match. The first Los Al score came after Feighner, making a run down the left, passed off to a trailing Seo who fired it over the keeper's head for the score. Seo struck again after outracing the keeper to a loose ball and chipping it over his head for the goal.
Goalkeepers Nick Brady and Drew Liebowitz split halves on the shutout, Los Al's fifth of the season.

The Griffins 10-0 start matches their best start in the program's 27 year history. They were also 10-0 in 200-01 when the team reached the CIF semi-finals.

Dec. 19, 2007

Los Al improves to 8-0,downs Redondo 4-1 in South Torrance opener; Venegas notches three assists

The Los Al boys soccer team continued its winning ways — getting a big assist and then some from senior Kevin Venegas (left) — by downing Redondo 4-1 in the opening game of the South Torrance High tournament on Wednesday.

Venegas notched three asists and a goal of his own on the afternon on the afternoon, beginnig with goal-scoring passes to Victor Bravo, Tim Seo and Wes Feigner.

After Redondo scored with a weather-aded goal, Venegas answered with a solid shot into the left top corner on an assist from Wes Feighner top provide the final margin. Los Al is now 8-0 on the season. They next play South Torrance, 2-0 winners over Fairfax on Wednesday night. Game time is Friday at 1010am. (Torrance schools are already on vacation.)

•   Updated (hopefully) South Torrance brackets

Dec. 17, 2007

BOYS SOCCER: Griffins down El Toro 2-0 to win Irvine tourney; record now 7-0

Senior captain Kevin Venegas headed in a throw-in pass from fellow captain Wes Feighner and junior Bryan Hudson scored off a scramble in front of the net after another Feighner throw-in, as the Los Al Boys soccer team scored twice in the second half to down El Toro 2-0 in the championship match of Irvine Classic Monday night.

Junior goalkeeper Drew Liebowitz had three saves for the Griffins.

The win extended Los Al's record to 7-0 on the season, their best start since the 2000-02 season when they began the schedule 10-0 before falling. The Griffins return to action on Wednesday morning against Redondo in the opening round of the 32-team South Torrance Tournament. Win or lose they would next play on Friday.

The Los Al JVs begin play in their own South Torrance tourney next Week. The Frosh-Soph plays at Gahr this Tuesday.

• More photos

Dec, 15, 2007

Griffins improve to 6-0 with Irvine Classic wins over Woodbridge, Segerstrom and Capistrano Valley

The Los Al High Boys soccer team improved their non-league mark to 6-0 after opening the Irvine Classic tournament with a 3-1 win over Woodbridge on Friday evening, and a 5-1 win over Segerstrom Saturday morning and a 1-0 win over Capistrano Valley on Saturday afternoon.

Wes Feigner again led the Griffin offense, scoring seven goals in the three games. He scored the sole goal in the win over Capo, all three goals against Woodbridge, and collected three more goals and an assist in the win over Segerstrom. Kevin Venegas and Tim Seo also scored goals in the Saturday morning match.

The 6-0 start is the best for a Los Al team since the 2000-2001 team went 10-0 to start the season, before losing its first contest. That team went on to finish the season with a record of 19-3-5, win Sunset League and reached the CIF semi-finals where they fell in overtime to Millikan 3-2 in quite possibly the best soccer game ever played around here. The 2001-02 team which won the CIF championship -- lost their only match of the year in their fourth game. That team finished the season with a 27-1-1 record, and ranked #3 in the nation by Student Sports.

Los Al 3, Woodbridge 0
LOS AL GOALS: Wes Feighner (assist: Kevin Venegas); Feighner (PK); Feighner (Tim Seo); GK Drew Lebowitz held Woodbridge scoreless in the first half with one save. GK Nick Brady had 3 saves in 2nd half.

Los Al 5, Segerstrom 1
LOS AL GOALS: Kevin Venegas (Wes Feighner); Feighner (unassisted); Tim Seo (unassisted); Feighner (unassisted) Feighner (Venegas).

Los Al 1, Capo Valley 0
LOS AL GOALS: Wes Feighner. NOTES: Griffins had 13 shots on goal, 5 corner kicks.

Decmber 3, 2007

Griffins down Wilson 3-0

The Los Al Griffins downed Wilson 3 - 0 on Monday in a battle of across-the-moat rivals . It was the first time the Griffin boys had played on the Wilson field in six years and they made it worth the wait. Senior Kevin Venegas scored an unassisted goal to give Los Al a 1-0 halftime lead. In the second half, Venegas scored again -- off a Victor Bravo assist -- and junior A.J. Crook closed the door with a goal off a Wes Feighner assist. Drew Leibowitz played the entire game in goal, collecting three saves. Los Al, which is now 3-0 on the season, is off for 11 days until the Irvine Tournament which begins December 14.

•   CIF-Southern Section Division I pre-season poll

November 28, 2007

Bravo scores three as Griffins down Nogales 4-1

   Senior forward Victor Bravo scored three goals to lead Los Al to a 4-1 victory over Nogales Wednesday afternoon at Laurel High. Two of Bravo's goals came off Josh Coppinger assists.

   The win gives Los Al a 2-0 mark. The Griffins, who are ranked No. 3 in the CIF Southern Section Division I pre-season coaches poll, play at No. 5 Long Beach Wilson next Monday.

   Griffin Coach Donovan Martinez took advantage of the match to take a look at a lot of his players, including a freshman and four sophomores, and was encouraged by the showing.
"We are going to be very strong and fast up front this year," Martinez said, noting that in Wes Feighner, Coppinger, and 3-year Varsity player Tim Seo, he has three of the fastest players around. Feighner, a national ODP invitee, is one of the top sprinters in the area, as well as one of the top soccer players.

   Martinez is also very confident in his midfield, led by three-year starter Dustin Venegas, who will get help from Bravo and sophomore Josh Dobson.

   "Our big question mark coming into the season will be our defense," said Martinez. "We only return one defender -- senior Chasen Ewell. But we have some good players to step into those spots." Martinez has moved junior Bryan Hudson from the midfield to join Ewell as a center back, and juniors Hess Blankenship and Andrew Takahashi will start at the outside back. If the Griffins get a lead, Martinez can always put Feighner back in the defense, where he was a mainstay for the team the past two seasons.

•   CIF Pre-season polls
•   OC Varsity pre-season preview

November 26, 2007

Griffins open season with 3-1 win over Poly

Seniors Kevin Vinegas and Billy Hoffman, and sophomore Josh Dobson, each scored goals to lead the Los Alamitos High boys soccer team to a 3-1 win over visiting Poly on Monday afternoon at the Griffins' Laurel Field. Los Al plays Nogales on Wednesday.

November 19, 2007

Updated schedules

11/20/07-Scrimmage-Los Al @ Santa Fe (V, JV 3:00)
11/26/07 - Los Al @ LB Poly (V, JV 3:00) 11/26/07 - LB Poly @ Los Al (F/S 3:00)
11/28/07 - Nogales at Los Al (V, JV 3:15) 12/1, 8/07 Marina Tourney (F/S & JV TBA)
12/3/07 - Los Al @ LB Wilson (V, JV 3:00)
12/3/07 - LB Wilson @ Los Al (F/S 3:00)
12/14, 15, 16/07 Irvine Tourney (V TBA)
12/19, 20, 21, 22/07 South Tourney (V TBA)
12/27, 28, 29/07 Marina Tourney (V TBA)
12/27, 28, 29/07 South Tourney (JV TBA)
12/29/07 Los Al vs Loara @ San Clemente HS (F/S 4:45)
12/29/07 Los Al @ San Clemente (F/S 7:00)