Soccer

tullyBOYS' SOCCER: Stevens scores winning goal in final two minutes to pace Burbank to Brandt tourney victory against Bell.BURBANK HIGH -- The Burbank High boys' soccer team was supposed to play its opening pool-play match in the 14th annual Ralph Brandt Tournament Friday night at St. Francis High. The only problem was the St. Francis football team was hosting a CIF Southern Section Division III semifinal at the same time. That prompted the Bulldogs' contest against L.A. City Section Bell to be moved to Burbank's field.

Soccer has always been fun for Cameron Meeker. Even when he first picked up the game, even when he started getting really serious about it and even now, when it’s the offseason. “I play ball in the house all the time,” Meeker says, acknowledging that he’s broken a window or two. “Every day my mom yells at me for kicking the ball in the house. Coach told us if we’re not getting yelled at for playing in the house, we’re not doing our job.” Meeker trains four to five hours a day, either by himself or with his development academy, Los Angeles Futbol Club.

RickGIRLS' SOCCER: Chrzan, De Santiago score goals for Burbank in 2-1 league victory against Burroughs to earn season sweep.BURBANK HIGH -- It seemed only fitting that three Bulldog seniors dominated the action when the Burbank High girls' soccer team met rival Burroughs Thursday afternoon in a Foothill League match. Forward Carolyn Chrzan provided the match-winning goal, goalkeeper Kelley Byrne let just one shot get past her and midfielder Bianca De Santiago scored the team's first goal as the Bulldogs downed the Indians, 2-1, at Burbank.

Bits and pieces from the local sports scene. Squad rolls to AYSO Section 10 title : An American Youth Soccer Organization girls' under-16 team from Burbank won the Section 10 championship Sunday, competing in a region that stretches from Los Angeles and Ventura counties to Fresno. More than 1,500 Burbank children participate in the local AYSO program each year. Organized in two-year age divisions along gender lines, the championship team, Burbank One, includes 16 local girls 14 and 15 years old. Burbank One was crowned champion of the San Fernando Valley area in late October, earning the right to compete in the section championships, held November 13-14 in Visalia.

Joan Alvarez, Senior, Forward, Burroughs The first-team Pacific League pick recorded 11 goals and 14 assists. His play guided the Indians to a 9-3-3 league record, good enough for second place. David Russell, Sr., Forward, Flint. Prep All-Prep League first-team selection collected nine goals and seven assists. A versatile player, he also served as a midfielder for a young Rebels' squad. Salar Hajimirsadeghi, Junior, Mf., Cres. Valley All-CIF Southern Section Division III third-team selection collected six goals and eight assists.

BOYS' SOCCER Burroughs 2, Glendale 1 : The Indians remained in first place in the Pacific League with a victory Friday on the road. Noberto Alcantar scored two second-half goals to lead the Indians (10-5-2, 7-2). Burbank 3, Arcadia 2 : The Bulldogs kept themselves in the playoff mix with a Pacific League win Friday on the road. However, Burbank (3-4-2 in league) had to score three straight goals after spotting the Apaches two goals in the first nine minutes of the game.

Mark R. Madler City officials have a goal. It's more soccer. To meet the growing population of children and adults playing soccer, the city is looking to partner with the Burbank Unified School District to expand the number of soccer fields. Following a City Council study session Tuesday, city staff was directed to meet with school district staff to discuss what could be jointly done. The Park, Recreation and Community Service Department and the school district jointly operate only one field dedicated to soccer at Providencia Elementary School.

Irma Lemus NORTHWEST DISTRICT -- The city's first lighted soccer field could be ready for action by late summer. Construction of the soccer field at Providencia Elementary School began 18 months ago with the building of parking spaces, Assistant City Manager Mary Alvord said. Alvord oversaw the project in her former position as director of Burbank's Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department. The field will be used by the community and the school.

BURBANK -- Being involved in the radio business, Steven Cohen knew how to sell advertisements. However, a few months ago, the Burbank resident decided although he wanted to continue selling ads, he could do a better job if he was soliciting for a radio show that was more personal to him -- like his own. With that in mind, Cohen, 39, a native of England, started a weekly radio program devoted to soccer. "World Soccer Weekly," which kicked off in May, can be heard from 7 to 9 on Sunday mornings on KMPC AM-1540.