Charles Rich
All of the mud that covered Daniel Choi couldn't hide his emotion,
which featured ecstasy and relief.
Playing on a drenched field following three consecutive days of
rain, Choi penned a successful chapter as he recorded a goal and
assist Thursday to lead the La Canada High boys' soccer team to a 3-0
Rio Hondo League home victory and a league championship.
Choi, a Korean product and a freshman forward, produced his
heroics in the second half. The Spartans (11-4-3, 6-2-2 in league)
also received goals from Brian Jun and Cameron Kiersch.
*--*
BOX SCORE
*--*
*--*
Temple City 0 0 -- 0
La Canada 0 3 -- 3
*--*
*--*
TEMPLE CITY
none * Saves: Alvarado 8. * Cards: Nunez (yellow, 25th minute),
Jordan (yellow, 31st minute), Schiedegger (red, 78th minute)
LA CANADA
Jun (Choi, 52nd minute), Choi (Avesyan, 62nd minute), Kiersch (79th
minute). * Saves: Wickersham 6. * Cards: Rhee (yellow, 69th
minute)
*--*
"It's started to sink in that we've won league," Choi said through
translator and teammate Josh Rhee. "We have the momentum going into
the playoffs [next week], and it was tough to win league. I'm glad
that I could contribute."
First-year La Canada Coach Rafael Moran molded the team into a
league champion by relying on underclassmen to complement the
veterans athletes. Moran said he never hesitated to insert Choi into
the lineup.
"He's got good characteristics in being aggressive and speedy,"
said Moran, who succeeded longtime Coach Louie Bilowitz. "It didn't
surprise me what he did [Thursday].
"It's very important to win league. Not so much for me, but for
the players. It settles any uncertainties about our team. Most of the
players who returned helped give me an idea of the solid base I would
have to work with."
Temple City (10-7-3, 4-4-2) needed a win to pull even with La
Canada, but the Spartans dashed the Rams' bid when Jun took a pass
from Choi and tapped the ball into an empty net in the 52nd minute.
Choi's header off a pass from Hakop Avesyan made it 2-0 about 10
minutes later, and Cameron Kiersch closed out the scoring on a
45-yard direct kick with a minute left.
The Spartans, who last won a league crown in 2001, received six
saves from goalkeeper A.J. Wickersham. The Spartans have registered
seven shutouts this season, including three in league.
La Canada -- ranked sixth in CIF Southern Section Division IV --
swept the two-match season series against Temple City, ranked ninth
in the division.
