Mickel Gets Last Kick

Palisades Soccer Beats Uni to Win City Invitational

Only three girls soccer teams in the City Section this season won their last game. Palisades was one of them, thanks to an inspired second half and a well-placed shot by forward Kelly Mickel. Trailing Western League rival L.A. University 1-0 at halftime, the Dolphins rallied for two second-half goals’the second on a penalty kick with five minutes left’to win the City Invitational title Saturday afternoon at East L.A. College. Freshman Erika Martin tied the game early in the second half on a high shot from just outside the penalty area and the Dolphins continued pressing until Uni was whistled for a hand ball in its own box to set up Mickel’s game-winning attempt. ‘I always kick it to the same side,’ said Mickel, who calmly guided a low right-footed shot into the left corner of the net, just beyond the reach of diving Uni goalkeeper Nicole Moreno. ‘I’m just happy for the seniors. We wanted to win it for them.’ Each of the Dolphins’ three seniors played a key role in the victory. Sarah McNees was a stalwart on Pali’s back line all afternoon while forwards Sara Newman and Lauren Pugatch applied constant pressure in the offensive zone. Two years ago, Palisades reached the finals of the City championship division. This year, the Dolphins (13-6-5) lost to Birmingham in the first round, dropping them to the Invitational draw. From there, they won four games in dominating fashion to win the consolation prize. ‘We were disappointed to lose that first game, but we looked at the Invitational as a second chance,’ Mickel said. ‘It was also great to beat Uni because they beat us the last time.’ The two teams met twice in league play. The first meeting ended in a 1-1 tie and Uni won the second, 2-1, a week before the playoffs began. Also going out winners last weekend were Foshay, which won the first-ever Small Schools Division Friday night, and El Camino Real, which captured its seventh consecutive Section championship.