Elander's Goal Beats Birmingham

Something about the playoffs is seemingly bringing out the best in . For the second game in a row Palisades High's senior forward scored the only goal, this time off an assist from in the first half, and the Dolphins' defense did the rest in a 1-0 City Championship quarterfinal girls' soccer victory over Lake Balboa Birmingham.   

Senior goalkeeper made 10 saves for her 18th shutout as second-seeded Palisades (21-1-1) did not allow a goal for the 13th consecutive game dating all the way back to a 3-2 tournament win over San Pedro on January 4. The 10th-seeded Patriots (10-8-5), who finished third in the West Valley League behind El Camino Real and Cleveland, were coming off a 3-0 first-round victory over Huntington Park.

Elander scored in the second half in the Dolphins' 1-0 victory over 15th-seeded Woodland Hills Taft in the first round last Thursday. She now has 16 goals and four assists on the season.

Palisades will host third-seeded Sylmar (18-2-4) in the semifinals next Tuesday at Stadium by the Sea. The Spartans got past sixth-seeded Verdugo Hills 2-1 in their quarterfinal game Thursday. 

Girls Basketball

The top-seeded Dolphins (22-9) moved on to the semifinals of the City Section Division II playoffs with an easy 62-40 victory over No. 9 North Hollywood on Wednesday night.

Palisades will host fifth-seeded Granada Hills (16-11) Friday at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to the championship game at 6 p.m. on March 4 at Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles.