Starting Strong

Pali High Soccer Squads Begin League Play with Convincing Victories

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Palisades High girls varsity soccer coach Christian Chambers had no idea what to expect in his team’s season opener at Stadium  by the Sea last Tuesday against Cleveland of Reseda. After all, the Dolphins were without nine starters, including the goalkeeper, and  it showed as they gave up an early goal. However, they tied the game in the first half and exploded for four unanswered goals in the second half to win, 5-1. Julianna Navarro and Kayden Graves each had a goal and an assist, Izzy Gill, Izzy Walker and Sienna Ozar each had a goal, Mona Abai tallied two assists and junior goalie Teah Jackson made six saves.       

Three days later, the Dolphins hosted archrival Venice in their Western League opener. Despite still missing seven starters they handed the Gondoliers their first defeat with a 3-0 shutout. Abai and Gill scored in the first half and Navarro put the game out of reach in the 58th minute on a shot from 25 yards out off a pass from fellow captain Ava Kerkorian.

Pali High’s boys varsity team  opened its season last Wednesday night against Harvard-Westlake at Stadium by the Sea and trailed 2-0 at halftime. Taylor Strijdveen got one back in the 68th minute, but Toshi Smith scored off a giveaway at the top of the penalty area seven minutes later to seal the win for the visitors.   

New coach and former Pali High player Marvin Lemus, who served as Dave Suarez’ assistant for several years, didn’t have to wait long to record his first win as the Dolphins traveled to Fairfax on Friday and won 4-0 on goals by Dylan Walsh, Shane Thomas, Oren Stuppel and Kyle Roberts.