PHOTOS: Sunny Hills remains undefeated in league with win over La Habra

Matthias Brown (15) celebrates a goal with Sunny Hills teammates. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone).

Sunny Hills boys soccer team withstood a relentless second-half challenge from host La Habra Friday,
edging the Highlanders 2-1 to remain unbeaten in the Freeway League.

The Lancers took a 2-0 lead in the first half on an own-goal and a score by junior Matthias Brown and seemed to have the match in hand at intermission.

But, a late-afternoon wind, and a Highlander team that became energized when Tyler Porter scored on a rocket of a 30-yard penalty kick, kept Sunny Hills on its heels for most of the final 40 minutes.

“That was a tough one today,” Lancer Coach Mike Schade said. “La Habra is very quick, with great athletes and they really came after us. With their play and the wind, we had a tough time getting the ball out of our end.”

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Sunny Hills’ Matthias Brown fires deciding goal past La Habra goalie Ibrahim Khen.

La Habra’s Jeremiah Solares takes a tumble while jousting for the ball.

La Habra’s Tyler Porter (2) celebrates penalty kick goal with temmates.

Sunny Hills’ Victor Quiroz (10) heads the ball away from La Habra defenders.

La Habra’s Tyler Porter (2) and Sunny Hills’ Victor Quiroz tussle for the ball on the sidelines.

Sunny Hills’ Daniel Park (8) challenges La Habra player.

Sunny Hills’ Anthony Noria heads the ball away from a La Habra forward.

Sunny Hills’ coach Mike Schade reminds his team of challenges ahead.

La Habra’s Robert Magdelano assists Sunny Hills’ Michael Franco, who cramped up in
the second half.

Sunny Hills’ Michael Franco heads ball away from La Habra’s Jesse Santana.

Pressured relentlessly, Sunny Hills managed to deal with the wind, La Habra’s continuing attack and a game that was stopped repeatedly for fouls.

With the win, Sunny Hills improved its record to 5-0 in league. The Lancers are now the team to beat in the second half of league.

“We’re not satisfied with anything yet,” Schade said. “We haven’t accomplished anything yet. We are the target now, and hopefully we understand that not only are we playing against very good teams, but also teams that will be putting forth their best efforts against us.”

Currently the Lancers are 5-0 in the Freeway league, one game above defending champion Fullerton. The Indians have lost only twice all season with one of those losses a 2-1 first-round decision to Sunny Hills.

The Lancers will have to prove their championship mettle, playing five games five games in 10 days beginning Monday: Monday, Jan. 24 at Sonora (3-5-4, 1-3-1), Wednesday, Jan. 26 vs. Buena Park (3-7-4, 0-6), Friday, Jan. 28 at Troy (7-5-3, 3-2-1), Monday, Jan. 31 vs. Sonora, and Wednesday, Feb,. 2 at Fullerton (12-2-1), 5-1). All games begin at 3 p.m.

Sunny Hills took a 1-0 lead in the 22 nd minute Friday when a La Habra defender headed the ball toward his goalie, but struck the ball too hard and it sailed into the goal. Sunny Hills’ nearest player, Michael Franco, was credited with the goal.

Brown’s goal came nine minutes later on a breakaway when he blasted a 10-yarder over the outstretched hands of La Habra goalie Ibrahim Khen.

Porter’s penalty kick that got La Habra within one, came in the 54th minute.

—Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone