Missed Chances Frustrate Patriots

You can’t win if you can’t score, and that’s beginning to become a sober realization for the Birmingham High boys’ soccer team.

The Patriots, No. 1 in The Times’ regional rankings, tied Granada Hills, 0-0, Tuesday in a Northwest Valley Conference game at Granada Hills.

Birmingham outshot the Highlanders, 14-5, but left with nothing to show for its dominance.

The lack of scoring is becoming an annual lament for the Patriots, a longtime regional power with a penchant for playoff swoons. To avoid another early exit, the team, which once again is strong on defense and in the midfield, must rectify a gaping hole in the forward line.

“We’d pass the ball up, but we couldn’t get anything off our shots or crosses,” said Bobby Pouya, a Birmingham midfielder. “I give [Granada Hills] credit, but I think we have more talent than that.”

Birmingham (5-0-2, 5-0-2 in conference play) held a 10-1 shot advantage in the first half and would have taken a lead if not for several superb saves by Highlander goalie Cameron Damwijk.

But after halftime, the Patriots’ constant attacking sapped their energy and the final 40 minutes were more evenly played.

“I was tired; we don’t substitute much,” Pouya said. “We didn’t take it seriously at first and then we got caught up in going forward and started getting out of position [defensively].”

Granada Hills (2-1-4, 2-1-4), a combined 2-20-6 the last two seasons, has staged something of a revival under third-year Coach Wilson Herrera Sr. and played a defensive style led by sweeper Pablo Rivas and outside fullback Ryan Greenberg.

“Sometimes you have to play smart, keep the guys in the back and hope you get a chance off a break away,” Herrera said.