Agoura Opens Defense of Soccer Title With Shutout

Dawn Krenik and Heidi Walters scored two goals apiece as Agoura High began defense of its Southern Section 2-A girls soccer title Thursday with a 6-0 victory over Wilson of Hacienda Heights in a first-round playoff match at Agoura.

The Chargers (17-1-3 overall) utilized the speed of All-Southern Section forwards Krenik and Wendy Bennett, who easily sprinted past the Wilson defenders. Wilson (12-7-1), which was playing in its first postseason game three years after inaugurating its soccer program, couldn’t muster a fast break longer than 35 yards.

Agoura turned ordinary touch passes into a barrage of one-on-one breaks at Wilson goalie Candice Campos, who had seven saves. But Agoura also had a little luck on its sideline.

When Coach Dave Gowdin tried to call for a substitute, the referees didn’t hear him in time to stop an Agoura throw-in. Walters took the toss and raced 45 yards before she lost her dribble around the goalie box. But Walters quickly regained control and got off a shot, which caromed off fullback Lea Valenzuela’s leg and into the goal for a 3-0 lead 27:18 minutes into the first half.

The Chargers came right back with a championship-caliber score that only took five seconds. Bennett took a throw-in from Christy Rapp and sprinted down the right side. After only two dribbles, Bennett lofted a perfect cross-field pass to Krenik, who whistled a 10-foot shot past Campos.

“It’s tough for anybody to play our girls unless they’re extremely quick,” Gowdin said. “Our short passing game worked well today. If any team on defense tries to follow the ball against us, quite frankly it can drive you crazy.”

Agoura, which built a 4-0 halftime lead, scored two more goals before Gowdin took out his key starters with 10 minutes left in the game.

Agoura goalie Tricia Arledge needed to make just three saves in 72 minutes before backup Laina Rea came on and preserved the shutout.

Agoura set a Southern Section record during the regular season with 10 consecutive shutouts.