Simi Valley Gets Upper Hand on Newbury Park, 3-2
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NEWBURY PARK — After getting a hand, the Simi Valley High boys’ soccer team could only applaud its 3-2 victory over Newbury Park.
The Pioneers won the game when sweeper Craig Chelius converted a penalty kick in the 71st minute after Newbury Park’s Jaime Jamshidi was called for a hand-ball in the penalty area.
Chelius’ goal improved the Pioneers to 4-0 in the Marmonte League and 14-2-1 overall. The Panthers dropped to 2-2 in league, 9-3-1 overall.
“This was tough,” Chelius said. “We both came out hard, needing to win.
“I’ll take it any way we can get it.”
Newbury Park took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Alan Milin off a penalty kick. Simi Valley rallied to tie the score at 1-1 in the 31st minute when Steven Jakowchik converted an indirect free kick past Newbury Park goalkeeper Mario Vargas (10 saves).
The Pioneers then took the lead of a header by forward John Gonzalez but Newbury Park responded with a direct free-kick conversion three minutes later.
Deadlocked at 2-2, the teams battled for the ball and offensive opportunities in the minutes leading up to Chelius’ decisive penalty kick.
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