BOYS’ SOCCER / ORANGE TOURNAMENT : Edison Gets 1-0 Victory Over La Habra

ORANGE —  Edison withstood a flurry of La Habra scoring opportunities late in the game and held on to a 1-0 victory in the championship game of the Orange Holiday Classic Thursday night at Chapman University.

The 400 spectators witnessed a first-half track meet that settled into a second-half tactical match before the Highlanders challenged late in the game.

“I knew it would be a tough game,” Charger Coach Mike Digiovanni said after watching his team record its ninth shutout of the season. “I was hoping we’d get one more goal because I knew La Habra wouldn’t give up.”

Edison (10-0-1), ranked fifth in the county, produced its goal midway through the first half when Philip Urkov outjumped a La Habra defender after a corner kick and headed the ball into the net.

For the next 50 minutes the Charger fullbacks, led by tournament most valuable player Ryan Fial, kept La Habra (6-3-2) from putting pressure on Edison goalie Roy Ludt.

When the Highlanders did find room to shoot, they missed high. Ludt had four saves on eight La Habra shots.