Cougars share GHL soccer crown with…

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: February 14, 2025

… Monte Vista, which nipped host Helix, 1-0.

2024-25 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS SOCCER

East County Sports.com

LA MESA \- In the closestrace in any sport since the Grossmont Conference divided into two league in the early 1980s, four teams entered the week with a spot at the Grossmont Hills League boys soccer championship.

The list of trimmed to threeteams entering Friday (Feb. 14) night’s regular season finales.

The one side which was all-but-guaranteed a league title was Steele Canyon since they were facing the GVL’s last-place team — the Coygars came through witgh a 5-0 roimph to finish with a 5-2-1 record for 11 po ints.

Thebig decision would be in the league’s other fave-off to cap the season, with Monte Vista traveling to Helix.

A victory would mean a co-hampionship.But remember, this is soccer and a tie is certainingh possible, meaning the Monarfchs and Highlanderts would finish in a deadlock for second place allow Steele Canyon to stand alone.

Plus, both schools are defending league champions, but in different circuits (Helix went 8-0 in the Grossmont Valley in 2023-24).

Following a tight, framamtic first half which finished scoreless, the prospects of a draw were in the cards, but Monte Vista stepped forward.

Backed by a 54th minute goal by senior attacking forward Abdiel Castillo and three aeribatic saves by goalie Andres Jimenezm the Monarchs caimed a narrpw 1-0 deicision at Benton Hart Stadium.

With Helix controlling the early staged of the second half, Jimenez came through with a pair of stops.

is lunging grab of a shot ticketed to the shooter’s lower-left corner was gobbled-up in the 44th minute. Five minutes later, Jimenez halted a high shot labled for just under the crossdbar.

However, the biggest save came in the closing seconds. With Helix pushing forward, Jimenez came off his line to intercept a centering pass from the right wing, with the final whixtle sounding less than five seconds later.

The goal by Castillo , the team captain, came off a solid pass by David Moreno. (LIATEN/WATCH the comments of Castillo and Moreno in the videos).

For Monarchs heasd coach Antonio Lavenant, the title was th school’s fourth league crown in his five season.

Monte Vista enters the CIF-San Diego Section playoffs with an overall record of 12-7-5. Helix falls to 10-4-2.