Chatsworth Adds to String of Girls’ League Soccer Titles

Chatsworth High forward Kris Bassler had been waiting for a scoring opportunity for most of the girls’ soccer match Thursday against host El Camino Real.

So when the chance finally came with about three minutes remaining, she pounced on it.

Chatsworth forward Laura Holt lined a high pass to Bassler, who dribbled around two defenders and slipped a low shot to the right of diving goalie Alex Telleson, breaking a 1-1 tie and sparking Chatsworth to a 3-1 victory. The win gave the Chancellors their third consecutive West Valley League title.

“We made a defensive mistake,” El Camino Real Coach Jose Perez said. “That was the only chance (Bassler) got to score and she did it. She is a great player.”

A minute later, Chatsworth forward Mary Oades added her second goal of the game on a penalty shot.

Bassler’s score saved a Chatsworth team (13-0, 9-0 in league play) which backpedaled much of the second half. Oades’ first goal, in the 10th minute of play, gave Chatsworth a 1-0 lead.

Scoring on Chatsworth has been a challenge for opponents this season; in fact, only one had scored in 12 matches before Thursday.

Yet El Camino Real (11-2, 7-2) came close five times off corner kicks. On the sixth chance, Holly Goldstein launched a corner kick in front of the Chatsworth net.

The ball hit a Chatsworth player and landed in front of Tatum Mahoney, who beat goalie Maggie Sherman to tie the match midway through the second half.

“We turned it up a level after they scored,” Chatsworth Coach Steve Berk said. “The bench started to cheer and the players responded.”