Japanese students break the lock on SCVi soccer defense

By Garrett Lahood --

It really came as no surprise that it was LCA's Japanese students who finally picked the lock to the Santa Clarita Valley International's defense Thursday to spark a win at Westwood Recreational Center.

Shun Fukushigi -- who produces the type of soccer they play in Heaven – laser-directed a corner to countryman Akihiro Oku, who headered into the net, breaking a defensive deadlock that had lasted half an hour.

SCVi is a new charter school with a new soccer program, so it's understandable that their team was in bit of a disarray at the first meetup with our Santa Monica Christian school. Lighthouse Christian Academy -- undefeated at seven games in CIF's Southern Section Omega League -- expected to steamroll again Thursday but they hit roadblocks.

SCVi Coach Ken Erenberg had his troops dig in trenches and hold off an onslaught of blistering fire.

“We did a few little changes. This is a first year team,” Erenberg said. “Unfortunately, we look like a first-year program. I couldn't be more proud for the first 30 minutes being scoreless. I'm like wow, these guys are great. I have a new goal keeper, and he was unbelievable. I think he made 20 saves. I was proud of the way our team played.”

But once Shun and Aki worked their magic, the goals started flowing. The final scoreline -- 8-1 -- doesn't do justice to the real story of what happened on the pitch. The Stallions were like a totally different team, more organized and determined, than the away game.

SCVi players held their heads high and fought hard. A mental lapse found a defender out of position, and Erhan Meric, an LCA senior from Turkey, rounded to the right with the ball into empty space and didn't fail his shot.

Then before half time, Africa-born freshman Mosie Bowen, adopted by missionaries, moved up the left, juked a defender and slotted on the near post to make it 3-0.

Still, the Stallions came out in the second half looking to equalize.

“I try to instill in these kids, we keep pushing and pushing, whether the score is 10-nothing or 1-nothing. We give it our all.” Erenberg said. “My hope is that from that, we can continue to build and in the next year or two, we can continue to grow.”

But Lighthouse firepower continued bombarding goal with shots and approaches. The Stallions' resilience seemed to bring out Lighthouse's finest, and the Saints produced a superb soccer spectacle, forming myriad passing triangles to dizzy opponents.

“Lighthouse is a stand-up organization. The coach and kids are great, always respectful,” Erenberg said. “I always enjoy playing them.”

LCA Coach Jack Mefford praised his side's teamwork.

“Nobody stood out except the entire team,” Mefford said. “We had great passing and controlling the pace and not panicking and not playing volleyball.”

Indeed, the eight goals were scored by eight separate players.

As the game wore on and the goals piled up, the Stallions began to weary.

Lighthouse has been blessed this season by a cadre of soccer playing students who have been exposed to soccer and developed in the excellence of “the beautiful sport” abroad.

Shun, a leftback like Jordi Alba, has produced some stellar soccer. His friend from Japan, Aki, learned the striker position in his native land.

Erhan was back to his dazzling form, after a 3-game lull. He marshaled the midfield with masterful touches and lightning speed, passing dangerous balls continuously.

Nick Knapp, whose Mom is from Germany and has developed his game there, was constantly dangerous. On a ball that wasn't sufficiently cleared, he fired a net-buster from 20 yards.

Even the Guatemala-born Hosea Ashcraft, taken out of goal and allowed in midfield, expertly touched a bouncing ball over the goalie's head.

Pictured: Shun Fukushigi (left) and Akihiro Oku. Garrett Lahood is a sophomore at Lighthouse. Video highlights Christian school soccer team Los Angeles.