Local scholastic soccer teams are back in league play this month and shooting to gain an upper hand on their opponents.
The La Jolla High girls team sported a 4-3-2 record as of last week for head coach Kristin Jones. The team battled to a 1-1 tie with Our Lady of Peace last Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Dana Hoolko leads the team with six goals, while Nihal Kayali sports nine assists. According to Jones, Simi Sharp, Tess Plant-Thomas and Alysia Barone are holding the defense down in the back.
“After getting off to a slow start in a very difficult Western League, the girls are returning to good form,” Jones commented. “They are working hard and we expect to pick up some very important league wins in the next two weeks.”
At The Bishop’s School, the Lady Knights came into action last week with a record of 8-4-2 and ranked ninth in San Diego County. The Lady Knights had not given up a goal in their last four games.
“The goalkeeping and defense have been very good,” Bishop’s head coach Brian Quinn noted.
Key players over the last couple of weeks have included Stevie Griglak and Bree Geary on defense, Sarah Bromley and Ashley Dominguez in midfield, and Chelsea Wilkinson and Annie Kadota in the forward position.
On the boys side, The Bishop’s School came into play this week with a mark of 12-1, having won both the Coronado Islander Tournament (beat La Jolla Country Day [LJCD] School, La Jolla High) and the Francis Parker Tournament, beating Parker on penalty shots in the semifinals. Bishop’s beat rival LJCD in the finals by a 4-1 score. Bishop’s only loss this year is to rival LJCD, as the teams have met several times.
Bishop’s assistant coach Adam Ruderman praised strong leadership from the seniors both on and off the field. Ruderman noted the play of captains Brandon Busch (15 goals in 12 games); Fred Semmer, who was injured for most of last year; and last year’s unanimous league MVP, Pete Semmer.
At LJCD, the Torreys come into play this week at 9-2-3 overall, with a 2-0 Coastal South mark for head coach Jerry Fleischhacker.
In action last week, Zach Wolfenzen scored his eighth goal of the season, assisted by Kees Thompson, to put the Torreys ahead, but San Dieguito Academy tied the game on a controversial penalty with 15 minutes remaining in the game in a 1-1 final. Torrey standouts were Bobby Whitney in goal, Darren Blake and Alex Poyhonen on defense, and Tim Sedwitz and Adam Saven at midfield.
Two days later, after losing to Bishop’s twice in tournament play, LJCD turned the table on the previously undefeated Coastal South rivals and grabbed the win, 2-0.
Sedwitz scored his team-leading 14th goal of the season, assisted by Wolfenzen. Senior Taylor Sarkaria scored the first goal of his career, assisted by Thompson. Wolfenzen (65 minutes) and Whitney (15 minutes) shared the goalkeeping duties in the shutout.
Poyhonen, Blake and Stephen Migdal also played major roles in holding Bishop’s scoreless, while Saven had a strong game at midfield.
” Editor’s note: The La Jolla High boys and LJCD girls teams did not respond to a request for information prior to press time.