Chaminade Gets Well, Beats Hart

Although its roster has resembled a hospital ward more than a soccer squad this season, the Chaminade High girls overcame their mounting injuries Thursday and defeated Hart, 2-0, in a nonleague game at Chaminade.

The Eagles (7-1-1), two-time defending Southern Section Division III champions, scored once in each half against the Indians (5-3-1), who have advanced to the Division I semifinals each of the last two seasons.

Chaminade got its first goal 12 minutes into the physical game on a play that began when Amy Watts sent a pass to Kelly Lavery in the penalty area. Lavery hit the post on her first shot before knocking the rebound into the open net from close range for her fifth goal.

The Eagles, No. 3 in The Times’ regional rankings, scored again nine minutes after halftime when Lindsey Horn headed in a corner kick by Watts for her fifth goal of the season.

Chaminade ended a two-game winless streak after losing to Westlake and tying Ventura in its previous nonleague games.

Nine of Chaminade’s players did not practice Wednesday because of injuries, but Watts said attitude also factored into what, for the Eagles, qualified as a slump.

“[Westlake and Ventura games] were disappointing and a wake-up call,” Watts said. “We’ve set a standard here and we got a little cocky about it.”

Chaminade held a 14-2 shot advantage, with Hart’s first shot coming in the 52nd minute.

“How are you going to win taking two shots?” asked Coach Oliver Germond of Hart. “It’s ridiculous.

“We bring the ball up and play around with it, looking for the perfect shot.”

The Indians had a 1-2 record while playing three games in four days this week.

Goalkeeper Cassondra Kaeding of Hart made six saves while Sara Leibowitz of Chaminade stopped one to record the Eagles’ seventh shutout.