Los Amigos Girls' Soccer Defends Title

The Los Amigos girls’ soccer team came into the season as the defending Garden Grove League champions, a position the program had never experienced before.

The Lobos marked off another milestone in the team’s history Wednesday afternoon, clinching a second consecutive league championship.

Los Amigos scored three goals in the first half, lost its most valuable player to injury and another to a red card in the second half, then held on for a 4-2 victory against visiting Garden Grove.

“I’m really proud of my team,” said Los Amigos goalkeeper Yazmin Murillo, who was still noticeably limping after colliding with a Garden Grove player with about 10 minutes remaining. “We worked really hard for this and I’m really glad we accomplished it…we played our hearts out.”

Murillo led the Lobos with 13 goals last season, but her athleticism has been needed more in goal this winter. Against the Argonauts, she was given the opportunity to take a penalty kick in the 25^th minute after teammate Lilibeth Torres was tripped from behind while on a breakaway.

Murillo calmly buried the shot for her 14^th goal of the season.

“I broke my record from last year, which is what I wanted,” Murillo said.

Los Amigos coach Arturo Mandujano made a well-timed substitution a few minutes later, sending freshman Betcy Solano into the game at forward and she quickly scored on a nice shot over the goalkeeper’s head, giving the Lobos a 2-0 lead.

Los Amigos (9-0-1 in league) scored its third goal of the opening half when Anahi Abundis received a pass in the penalty box and beat the Garden Grove goalie with a well-placed shot just inside the left goal post.

After reserve forward Aimee Rivera made it 4-0 early in the second half, it appeared the Lobos would to cruise to the victory, but Garden Grove snuck one past Murillo to cut the deficit to 4-1.

The Lobos then received a red card after a collision in front of Murillo. About five minute later, Murillo injured her right big toe on another collision in front of the net.

“I felt pain all the way to the top of my leg,” Murillo said. “I thought it was my ankle. I took the hit and, hopefully, I’ll be ready by CIF.”

Abundis moved to goalkeeper and made a couple nice stops before Garden Grove (8-1-1 in league) added its second goal in the closing minutes. By then, it was too little too late.

“The girls just played good,” said Mandujano, who now must prepare the team for the Southern Section playoffs beginning next week. The Lobos first-round opponent will be determined this weekend.

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