Chargers fall in PKs

HUNTINGTON BEACH — The Edison High boys’ soccer team went from worst in the Sunset League in 2009 to within a couple of inches of a berth in the CIF Southern Section Division I championship game in 2010.

After 100 minutes of soccer Tuesday, it was within the Chargers’ grasp.

It won’t happen, though, as the Chargers fell to Harvard-Westlake in penalty kicks, 4-3.

The defense that had anchored Edison’s run to this point held true for that 100 minutes, including a scoreless tie in regulation and two overtime periods in a Division I at Edison High.

But Harvard-Westlake senior Robbie Weitz scored the game-winner once it went to penalty kicks. Weitz shot into the left side of the net, a shot that Edison sophomore goalie Scott Campbell leaped for and just deflected, but not enough to stop the ball from going in.

The Wolverines rushed Weitz and the pursuit of a CIF title ended suddenly for the Chargers.

Edison Coach Charlie Breneman said he still expects Edison (22-5-2) to compete in the Southern California Division I regionals, which could begin Tuesday. Brackets are set to be released on Sunday.

But the end of the semifinal game hit the Sunset League champion Chargers right in the heart, as it was Harvard-Westlake (21-6-3) that advanced to meet JSerra for the championship.

“It’s pretty tough, for the seniors especially,” Breneman said. “But they achieved more than most people thought [they would] at the beginning of the season. They were one goal away, one PK stop away from getting to the next step. It’s not a big difference, just a little difference. I’m extremely proud of our effort. We just missed a goal today. But I give Harvard full marks. They, defensively, played well. They stayed organized in the back and made it very hard for us to get behind.”

Edison went first in penalty kicks. Sadalah Shehadi and Chris Huerta scored on the first two penalty-kick attempts, but the Chargers’ third and fourth kicks were blocked by Harvard-Westlake senior goalie Alex Silverman. They were down, 3-2, and Campbell (five saves) kept it that way as he leaped to his left to block a shot by the Wolverines’ Victor Kroh.

The Chargers’ Faris Barudi scored to knot it up, but Weitz converted when he needed to.

Edison played the game without senior midfielder Kyle Ball; Breneman said he missed the game for disciplinary reasons.

“[Edison’s] an unbelievable team, but we were able to hold our own,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Freddy Arroyo said. “Our goalie, he doesn’t get any respect, but he’s one of the best in the Southern Section. Our defense is also strong. Even when our sweeper came out and was cramping up, other guys stepped in. That was basically the story all year long.”