Royal Edges Simi Valley, Creates League Logjam

It’s just not Marmonte League boys’ soccer without a crowd at the top of the standings. And you can blame the latest traffic jam on Royal High.

The Highlanders, 3-2 in league play at week’s start, defeated cross-town rival Simi Valley, 2-1, on Friday to forge a three-way tie for first place along with Camarillo.

Royal (14-5-1, 5-2) beat Camarillo on Wednesday.

The Highlanders, who lost their league opener to Simi Valley, 1-0, on Dec. 18, were twice as good Friday, attacking and defending with zeal and getting the match-winning goal from Sean Gesell seven minutes into the second half.

Gesell capitalized after a throw-in by Royal’s Mike Ranier bounced off teammate Shaun Neff’s head in front of the Simi Valley goal.

“The first game [against Simi Valley] we took them lightly,” Gesell said. “This time we went all out.”

Simi Valley (14-3-3, 4-1-2) played well but was hampered by the absence of standout striker John Gonzalez, who was on a football recruiting trip to Boise State.

“It made a difference, no question about it,” Royal Coach Kevin Corley said of Gonzalez’s absence. “They didn’t have that one player who could step in and put a game away for them.”

Royal took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute of the emotional match. A Ranier throw-in caromed to Highlander forward Kendall Simmonds, who fired a low shot into the penalty area. The ball was deflected to midfielder Brandon Kay, who scored from five yards.

Simi Valley tied the score in the first minute of the second half when Ryan Meuse held off defender Jerrod Gonzales and scored from 15 yards.

Gesell’s winning goal was one of Royal’s few offensive forays after controlling play in the opening 40 minutes. Simi Valley had several late scoring chances but were foiled by 6-foot-4 goalkeeper Matt Ranier and a defense led by sweeper Ryan Walker.