Surprise Scoring Lifts Buena, 4-2

Buena High’s girls’ soccer team has plenty of offensive options. Now, you can add one more.

Kelly Nash scored two goals and had an assist to lead the Bulldogs to a 4-2 victory over Juropa Valley in claiming the Simi tournament championship Wednesday in Simi Valley.

“I just kind of hide,” said Nash, who doused Buena Coach Trish Butterbaugh with a jug of ice water after the game. “I’m usually told to mark up and I do my job well. I do all the dirty work. I’m there to pick up scraps and play defense.”

Nash did her all her usual tasks, throwing tackles and winning balls in the air, but added a new dimension to her game, keeping Buena undefeated (13-0) and earning the Bulldogs their second tournament championship in five days. Buena defeated Harvard-Westlake in penalty kicks in the final of the South Torrance tournament Saturday.

Nash scored in 13th minute on a direct kick from 30 yards that deflected off a defender to give Buena a 2-0 lead.

Ten minutes later Nash scored again, this time on a direct kick from 40 yards that floated over the goalkeeper’s head.

“In club I make those all the time,” said Nash, who had only two goals coming into the game. “Lisa (Engel) usually takes them all. I was looking for a shot.”

Nash set up Natalie Sanderson’s goal in the seventh minute by sending a through ball out of the midfield. Sanderson, who had an uncontested shot after Juropa sweeper Anita Ruiz missed the ball, scored for a 1-0 lead.

Juropa Valley (9-2-2) scored on a mistake by Buena goalkeeper Currie Hunt. Hunt blocked a shot and then bobbled the ball. It bounced out of her reach to forward Leann Ingels, who touched the ball into the net to make it 3-1 at the half.

Behind under-23 national team player Veronica Zepeda, Juropa Valley came to life in the second half. Zepeda, who was held to just one shot in the first half, hit the post in the 58th minute before assisting on Kelli Vigorito’s goal in the 65th minute to cut Buena’s lead to 3-2.

“I started to get worried, but I had faith in my team,” Nash said.

Sanderson had a chance to put the game out of reach, but her penalty kick in the 75th minute went straight to the goalie. Sanderson redeemed herself when she scored her 13th goal on a pass from defender Brianna Squires in the 79th minute.

Buena has outscored opponents, 50-9.