HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER ROUNDUP : Kennedy Pulls Closer to 1st Place With Win Over Granada Hills

Kennedy High kept its Mid-Valley League title hopes alive Wednesday, turning back first-place Granada Hills, 2-1, at Granada Hills.

With the victory, Kennedy (10-2-1 overall, 6-2 in league play) avenged a loss to Granada Hills (9-4-1, 6-1-1) and moved into second place, a half-game behind the Highlanders.

Midfielder Brian Singer broke a scoreless tie early in the second half with a head shot off a pass from Ruben Rios.

Rios had his hand in the Golden Cougars’ other goal as well, passing to Luis Sandoval, who scored from 20 yards with 10 minutes to play.

Kennedy outshot the Highlanders, 14-7, and shut down Granada Hills scoring threats with superb defense. “This time we played our game,” Singer said. “This time we were calm and cool.”

No one was more coolheaded than goalkeeper Chris Hines, who recorded four saves.

With the Golden Cougars holding a 1-0 lead, Hines found himself standing between the goal and Raphael Acosta, who had broken away for what appeared to be a clear opportunity to tie the score with 15 minutes to play. But Hines, a senior, sprinted to the front of the box and blocked the shot.

Kelly Brockway spoiled Hines’ bid for a shutout with a 25-yard goal with eight minutes left.