Edison gets defensive

Chargers shut down Lakewood, Dana Hills in girls’ soccer.The Edison High girls’ soccer team capped a week of outstanding defensive play Friday by shutting down visiting Lakewood, 2-0, in nonleague action.

The Chargers netted their first goal at the 30-minute mark of the first half as senior Alex Dunn ran right past the Lancers defense to score an unassisted goal.

Edison keeper Cassie Becker was never tested in the opening half, as the Chargers took a 1-0 into intermission.

In the second half, an Edison free kick went to senior Elyse Kirmaci, who sent a header into the net seven minutes into the half.

A tough Charger defense, led by senior Elysse Vanleer, never allowed Lakewood any type of offensive rhythm.

Three days earlier, Edison began its week with a 1-0 shutout of host Dana Hills. The Chargers dominated play, although most of the action took place on the Dana Hills side of the field.

Edison took more than eight shots on the goal in the first half -- including three consecutive corner kicks -- but it wasn’t until the 30-minute mark when the Chargers finally scored. That’s when junior Corie McGuire delivered a pass to freshman Kallie Ryker, who sent a bullet over the head of the Dolphins’ goalie to record what turned out to be the only score of the match.

The defense of freshman Allyson Cerda helped keep Dana Hills off the scoreboard, and the shutout win was preserved when sophomore keeper Keenan Castillo pulled the ball out of the air on a Dana Hills corner kick with five seconds remaining.

In a previous nonleague match, Edison came from behind to defeat Redondo Union, 3-2, in the Aliso Tournament. Redondo scored two goals late in the first half, but Edison sophomore Jessica Brunner scored off a pass from senior Candace Mecklenburg to make the score 2-1 at the half.

Six minutes into the second half, a corner kick by junior Brenna Boies found senior Kaitlin Thulin, whose placed the ball into the net to tie the score. With five minutes to play, senior Alex Dunn took a pass from Kaylee Schneekluth, ran the length of the field and split four defenders to post the winning goal.

The Chargers travel to Newport Harbor High School Tuesday to compete at the Excalibur Tournament.

At the Mater Dei Premier Invitational, Huntington was shut out by host Mater Dei, 2-0.

In pool play at the Irvine Tournament, Marina was edged by Woodbridge, 2-1.

In boys’ soccer:

Huntington Beach rallied late to pull out a 4-3 nonleague win over host El Modena. John Shinjo scored the game-winning goal for the Oilers.

Edison remained undefeated following a 3-1 nonleague win over visiting Northwood. Tyler Petry, Curtis Taniguchi and Jimmy Walker scored for the Chargers.

In nonleague play, Marina and Trabuco Hills played to a 2-2 tie. Todd Locken scored both goals in the win over Trabuco Hills.

In girls’ water polo:

Edison outscored host Laguna Beach, 3-1, in the fourth quarter of their nonleague match, yet came out on the short end of a 10-7 score. Monique Wilson and Jamie Bee each scored three goals for the Chargers.

In a tight nonleague match, host Brea held off Marina, 7-5.PHOTOS BY WENDI KAMINSKI / INDEPENDENTEdison’s Jordan Crumby, right, takes the ball downfield against Lakewood’s Alexis Valdillez. 20051222irtokvncPHOTOS BY WENDI KAMINSKI / INDEPENDENT(LA)Edison’s Elyse Kirmaci, left, heads the ball toward the goal as Lakewood’s Janine Legaspi comes up short during a Chargers home game on Dec. 15. 20051222irtokancPHOTOS BY WENDI KAMINSKI / INDEPENDENT(LA)Edison’s Elyse Kirmaci, left, heads the ball toward the goal as Lakewood’s Janine Legaspi comes up short during a Chargers home game on Dec. 15.