Edison storms back to avoid upset

In Sunset League girls’ soccer action Tuesday, Huntington Beach had visiting Edison on the ropes but the Chargers rallied big in the second half to come away with a 3-2 victory.

Jessica Amaral scored a pair of first-half goals for Huntington (1-6 league), which held a 2-0 halftime lead. Edison began its second-half rally on a goal by Rachael Larson and got the equalizer on a score by Brooke Lillywhite. Larson later scored the game-winning goal for Edison, which maintained its first-place standing by improving its league mark to 6-1. Nikki Fedele, Angelisa Cortez and Sierra Krenik each had an assist and Shelby Karal registered three saves for the Chargers.

“While I was unhappy with our defensive effort in the first 20 minutes of the game, I am truly proud of the desire and heart that the team displayed in the second half, and not just from the players on the field but our bench, as well,” Edison Coach Kerry Crooks said.

At Wednesday’s practice, Crooks said that two players, Larson and Fedele, were to sign a National Letter of Intent. Larson was to sign with Southern Methodist University and Fedele with Georgia State.

Today’s Sunset schedule finds Huntington Beach at Fountain Valley (3 p.m.), Marina hosting Los Alamitos (3:15 p.m.) and Edison playing a key game at Newport Harbor (4:45 p.m.). The Sailors handed the Chargers their lone league defeat (1-0) on Jan. 13.

In Golden West League play Tuesday, Ocean View suffered its first loss in league when visiting Loara converted its only shot on goal to score a 1-0 win.

In previous action, Melissa Cooley and Aleanna Vargas scored and Leslie Gonzalez had three saves as Ocean View beat Orange, 2-1, on Jan. 27.

The Seahawks, ranked ninth in CIF Division 6, continue league play at 3:15 p.m. today at rival Westminster.

On Wednesday, Ocean View midfielder Mikhaila Bowden signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Boise State.

“Mikhaila is the most unselfish, hardest-working, committed soccer player I have had,” Ocean View Coach David Deaton said. “She is the dream player for any coach.”

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Boys’ Soccer

In Sunset League action Friday, Edison posted a 4-0 road shutout of Fountain Valley, Marina was edged, 2-1 by Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach was blanked, 4-0, by Los Alamitos.

In Edison’s win over Fountain Valley, the Chargers’ 16th victory this season via shutout, Mitchel Alvarez recorded a hat trick, Tyler Bigenho had a goal and assist and Trevor Verone picked up an assist. Two of Alvarez’s goals were scored on penalty kicks.

Edison, ranked No. 1 in CIF Division 1 and nationally by ESPN Rise, has scored 82 goals in improving to 20-0 and 7-0 in league. Fountain Valley fell to 1-6 in league.

Edison Coach Charles Breneman said Wednesday that Alvarez and Tyler Smith were signing National Letters of Intent; Alvarez with UC Irvine and Smith with San Diego State.

Josh Medina scored, Miguel Rizo had an assist and David Elias had seven saves for Marina (4-3 league) in its 2-1 loss at Newport Harbor (2-5 league).

Friday’s Sunset slate includes a pair of 3 p.m. games, Huntington Beach (2-5 league) at Fountain Valley and Marina taking on Los Alamitos (5-2 league) at Laurel School, and Edison hosting Newport Harbor at 4:45 p.m.

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Girls’ Water Polo

Edison took a break from Sunset League play last week because of finals but didn’t catch a breather when they took on San Clemente in nonleague play Friday. The teams were knotted at 6 entering the final quarter before the Tritons pulled away for a 10-6 win.

San Clemente is ranked No. 1 in CIF Division 2. Edison, which took a 3-1 lead in the first quarter before getting into foul trouble before the end of the first half, is ranked No. 8 in Division 1. Melissa Balding, Alys Williams and Abby Oshiro each scored twice and Sydni Estrella had five saves for the Chargers.

“I was really proud of the effort of our girls,” Edison Coach Diggy Riley said. “They take so much pride in being student-athletes and I know the week was emotionally and physically very draining for them. We continued to train every afternoon, and coupled with intense finals, made for a game vs. San Clemente that was full of question marks.

“The girls battled hard and had many chances to win the game. We missed six point-blank shots that hit the post.”