Highland Wins as Quartz Hill Hardly Puts Up Protest, 4-2

PALMDALE â€”  Highland High and Quartz Hill played Tuesday for the second time this season--but discussion surrounding the Golden League boys’ soccer match at Highland High centered on the teams’ earlier meeting Jan. 9.

Highland defeated the Rebels, 2-0, that night but the league’s principals ordered the match replayed after upholding a protest by Quartz Hill Coach Mike Kuper that an official misapplied the rules and affected the outcome.

The outcome was never in question this time in the regularly scheduled match. Highland built a 3-0 lead and cruised to a 4-2 victory.

Alan Fiedler scored two goals, and Shawn Borak and Derek Brown each had one for the Bulldogs (8-6-2, 3-2-1 in league play).

Gabe Zamudio and Eduardo Luna scored for Quartz Hill (12-7-2, 3-2-1).

The Bulldogs tightened the race for the league’s second and third automatic berths in the Southern Section Division III playoffs, and vented their frustration at having their earlier victory taken away.

“We were angry [Quartz Hill] got away with a cheap protest,� Borak said. “We thought we could beat them again on the field, and [Coach Lem Galvao] talked to us this week about the importance of winning this game for the playoffs and to send a message.�

Kuper said the replay is scheduled for Feb. 7. However, Highland Athletic Director Paul Arnold said his school plans to appeal to the Southern Section today the league’s decision to replay the Jan. 9 match.

Galvao is strongly against playing Quartz Hill a third time.

“We’re not agreeing to anything until the appealing process is done,� he said. “It’s frustrating to beat them on the field twice and not get the credit for it.�