One goal topples Indians

MEMORIAL FIELD — A budding rivalry might be forming between the Hoover and Burroughs high boys' soccer teams.

Hoover standout midfielder James Hernandez isn't sure that he wants another rivalry brewing in the Pacific League, but at least he's been consistent about scoring match-winning goals against the Indians this season.

Hernandez scored late in the first half to carry the visiting Tornadoes to a 1-0 road league victory.

The Tornadoes (9-7-3, 6-1-2 in league) hold at least a share of first place with Arcadia, the defending league champion, with 14 points. Arcadia played Muir on Friday.

Hernandez made sure the Tornadoes would not let Burroughs (9-6-4, 4-2-3 in league for 11 points) wouldn't leapfrog over them Friday.

He took a pass from senior midfielder Victor Sanchez and threaded a low shot past Burroughs goalkeeper Andre Yanez in the 30th minute.

Hoover held off a late Burroughs flurry of shots to preserve the win.

Hoover's defensive unit of Emin Navasartian, Firas Halawi, Emerson Herrera and Diego Aguirre did a fine job.

Still, Hoover junior goalkeeper Willie Carballo had to be sharp in the second half.

Carballo, who finished with 11 saves, stopped sophomore forward Derek Olson on a low shot in the 57th minute.

He then made his best save when he snared a header by senior forward Junior Hernandez with about 30 seconds left.

"Our boys played hard and I'm happy with their effort," said veteran Burroughs Coach Mike Kodama, whose team previously competed in the Foothill League for years before moving to the Pacific League with Burbank. "We were just on the short side of the score, but we had our chances.

"We knew it would be a dogfight with Hoover. Hoover's got a good squad."

"Nobody will be helping us."