Girls' soccer: Harvard-Westlake still a force, despite loss

Girls’ soccer: Harvard-Westlake still a force, despite loss

By Austin KnoblauchSenior Editor, Sports

Jan. 31, 2008 9:49 AM PT

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Heading into league play last month, I was pretty sure Harvard-Westlake‘s impressive two-year long winning streak would fall at some point this season. And I was pretty sure either Notre Dame or Flintridge Sacred Heart would be the primary culprits to get this accomplished.

So I think everyone was a little surprised to find out that Chaminade turned out to be the team that kicked the first-place Wolverines off their 25-game league winning streak. Junior Lauren Battung scored both goals in the Eagles’ 2-1 victory on Wednesday, notching the game-clinching tally in the 72nd minute. It marked the first time the Wolverines surrendered two goals in a league contest this season.

Let’s not get too down on Harvard-Westlake, though. It has one of the best defenses around, thanks to the efforts of goalie Clara Jaques (five league shutouts) and defenders Mary Amato, Kathryn Shelly, Madeline Lenard and Adrienne Li.

This team is still looking good for the league title and it has the most potential of any Mission League squad to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Here’s what the Daily News had to say about Wednesday’s game.

-- Austin Knoblauch

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Austin Knoblauch

Austin Knoblauch is a senior editor in Sports at the Los Angeles Times, overseeing NFL coverage and digital initiatives. He previously worked as an editor and writer at NFL.com. He initially joined The Times in 2005, serving in various web editing and reporting roles. Knoblauch’s favorite sports are football, hockey and auto racing. He is a native of Southern California and graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles.