La Canda keeps cool in 3-0 win

Saro Sarkisian

TEMPLE CITY -- When La Canada High went to Temple City High for its

Rio Hondo League matchup Friday, a win would guarantee the Spartans at

least a tie for the Rio Hondo League title.

But a win may not have been the most important thing on the Spartans’

minds, as the Rams -- with their physical style of play -- were called

for four yellow cards and a red card that had La Canada players falling

all over the field.

However, the Spartans kept their cool, pulling out a 3-0 win.

The win improves La Canada -- ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section

Division IV -- to 16-0-1, 7-0 in league with two matches to go. A win

Tuesday at home against South Pasadena High will give the Spartans the

outright championship.

“I just wanted to make sure nobody got hurt as the game was overly

physical,” Spartans Coach Louie Bilowitz said. “I think soccer shouldn’t

be coached this way. It should be played with skill, finesse and the

beauty of creativity.”

Nick Marquand of La Canada scored the first goal in the eighth minute,

as he headed the ball in the net off a throw-in by Eric Irvine.

Philip Kenney added another score for the Spartans in the 31st minute

to give La Canada a 2-0 lead at halftime.

In the first minute of the second half, George Swaner of La Canada was

given a yellow card and did not return to the game. Teammate Bassam Kahn

said Swaner was likely kept out to insure the player didn’t draw a red

card and have to sit out the next match.

Khan added the Spartans’ final goal in the 52nd minute. Khan got

control of a loose ball in front of the Temple City goal and blasted it

past goalie Matt Cowan.

“We were concerned about not necessarily getting injured, but of

retaliating,” Khan said. “When you play against a team like that they try

to get you out of your own game.”

La Canada had 17 shots on goal, compared to 12 by Temple City.

In goal, Chris Garnic and Mike Kotick split halves for La Canada. The

two combined for 12 saves.