Monroe Fills the Extra Space, Reseda Comes Up Empty, 0-0

Reseda High widened its soccer field this week, tearing up an adjacent long jump runway and landing pit in an effort to aid the far-ranging style of its boys’ soccer team.

But the Regents, who are best when they can spread out an opposing defense, were unable to take advantage of the extra space Wednesday, tying Monroe, 0-0, in a Valley Pac-8 Conference game.

Monroe (4-0-1, 4-0-1 in conference) retained its hold on first place. Reseda (11-3-1, 3-1-1), defending City Section champion, will travel to Monroe on Feb. 5 for a rematch likely to decide the conference title.

Reseda held a 13-8 shot advantage and controlled play for much of the first half and virtually all of the second. But the Viking defense, led by sweeper Ismael Valencia, stopper Andre Garcia and fullback Victor Reshetnikov, was equal to the task.

“I think we have the best defense in the conference,” said Elias Andrade, Monroe’s coach. “On a lot of the long balls, our guys were able to come back and regroup. You have to do that against a fast team like Reseda.”

The Regents, overflowing with offensive weapons, consistently strung multiple passes but would shoot wide or turn the ball over.

“If they’d settle down with the ball a bit, they’d score more,” Andrade said. “They don’t always need to penetrate, they can take some outside shots and sooner or later, they’ll go in.”

Carlos Morales, Reseda’s All-American midfielder, agreed with Andrade.

“[Monroe is] very good at putting initial pressure on you, but once you beat that, it’s open,” Morales said. “I think some of us tried to walk [the ball] into the net.”