East County Sports

Helix claims soccer summit showdown

2023-24 PREP GIRLS SOCCER

 

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS Senior Writer

FLETCHER HILLS — In a battle between clubs which seek to regain their position in higher CIF divisions, Helix took an important step to return to Division I status by downing host Grossmont, 3-1, Saturday (Jan. 6) at Lt. Thomas M. Adams Memorial Stadium.

The Highlanders dominated the first half to grab a 2-0 lead at the break. The Foothillers led a second-half charge for the first 20 minutes to halve the lead, but Helix answered late on a mini-breakaway.

Helix 4-6 overall) has faced a killer schedule which includes a series of losses by counts of 1-0. However, the cotties needed less than two minutes to score when senor Kailey Powers tapped in a perfect centering pass from near the right-corner by junior Taylor Holland.

Twenty minutes late, junior striker Sophia Hernandez powered home the first of her two goals to double the advantage.

The lead might’ve been greater,, but the Grossmont keeper registered a paitr of brilliant, point-blank stops in stoppage time

Grossmont (8-4-2 overall), which is attempting to re-gain Division II statuts in the San Dego Section, came out blazing in the second half, ending the shutout bid in the 48th minute.

However, Helix locked up the victory when senior midfielder Karli Beagle send a forward pass from midfield to a fast-breaking Hernandez.

To avoid a defense, Hernandez pushed the ball forwar, ot-ran a defender and ran on the ball for a shot from the football’s 29-yard line. When added to the seven yards of the Football endzone, the 36-yard blast touched the fingertips of the Hillers goalies, but wasa much too powerful to stop for the victory-clinching goal.

Helix opens Grossmont Hills Leaguer action on Tuesday (Jan. 9), meeting host West Hills at(9-3-1) Wolf Pack Stadium. Note the early start time of 5 p.m.; WHHS traditionally plays the varsity contest prior to the junior varsity when at home.

Grossmont, which was playing its third contest in as many days, next open Grossmont Valley League action at El Capitan, also on Tuesday but at 7 p.m.

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