Girls’ Soccer: Chargers beat rival

Taylor Wasserman is usually supposed to prevent goals, not score them, for the Edison High girls’ soccer team.

As a center back, that’s the responsibility of the Chargers senior. But when she got put into Thursday’s Sunset League rivalry showdown at Fountain Valley in the second half, it was at left back, not center back.

Playing outside allowed Wasserman to come forward when Edison earned a free kick in overtime. As it turned out, she would be the hero.

Wasserman volleyed senior Mikayla Edwards’ free kick into the back of the net five minutes into overtime for a golden goal as the Chargers earned a 2-1 victory over their rivals.

“When we had the free kick, I was like, ‘I get to go up because I’m not center back!’” Wasserman said with a smile after the game. “So I got up, I saw Mikayla’s eyes, and I was like, ‘This is going to be the goal.’ We could feel it ... it came perfectly to me.

“I was excited to actually get the chance to hit it in. I don’t usually get to go up much. I don’t get to touch the other 18 [yard box], so it was fun. I’m always the one stopping the goals, so it was nice to score one.”

Edison improved to 9-4-2, 2-0 in league and is in outright first place after Huntington Beach and Los Alamitos (both 1-0-1 in league) played to a 1-1 tie on Tuesday.

The Chargers were happy to escape Fountain Valley (9-3-1, 0-2) with a victory. After a scoreless first half, the action picked up in the second. Senior Cassidy Helenihi stayed hot for Edison, drawing and then scoring a penalty kick in the 49th minute.

Ten minutes later, though, the Barons had an equalizer. Edison couldn’t clear out Kylie Wilson’s cross, and Fountain Valley senior Sandra Hawryla scored from the left side of the box.

Later in the half came a contentious play that fired the Chargers up, after senior forward Amy Feinstein collided with Fountain Valley center back Ally Bebout. No card was issued, and an Edison defender was sent off with a yellow card for complaining to the referee. That’s what brought in Wasserman.

Edison Coach Kerry Crooks contended that Feinstein was undercut on the play.

“She was fouled, and the referee did not call it that way,” Crooks said. “We have pictures of it ... but we’re pretty used to it. You’re not going to get any love when you travel to Fountain Valley and you’re Edison. Edison and Fountain Valley, they’re not really good friends.”

Fountain Valley Coach Scott Goldman said that Feinstein was flying through the air and out of control, adding that there was no intent by Bebout. Either way, the lack of a card seemed to motivate Edison, which put increased pressure on Fountain Valley’s defense and senior keeper Aysia Buendia (five saves).

The Chargers had four consecutive corner kicks late in regulation, but couldn’t convert any of them. However, these were warning signs for the Barons.

“We responded well to the penalty kick, it’s just giving up one too many set pieces,” Goldman said. “We’ve got to be more discplined. That’s hurt us the last couple of games. We just get a little chippy, caught up in the moment.”

Edison had the answer with the golden goal. It made Crooks smile after the game, too.

“Taylor’s a senior, and she’s got great composure in front of the net,” Crooks said. “She’s a defender, though. It’s kind of fun when a defender actually wins it, right?”

Edison plays host to Huntington Beach on Tuesday at 5 p.m., while Fountain Valley plays at Marina at 3 p.m.

In other Sunset League action Tuesday:

Huntington Beach 1, Los Alamitos 1: Freshman Cina Wilson scored in the second half for the Oilers (12-4-4, 1-0-1 in league).

Newport Harbor 2, Marina 0: Senior Sianna Siemonsma scored both goals for the Sailors (10-1-3, 1-1 in league). Sienna Ward and Scout Farmer had the assists.