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Sports

Girls Soccer: Tigers Beat Cougars in Defensive Battle

Ulmer returns, Aalem scores game-winner to knock out Cougars.

The South Pasadena girls soccer team went to the brink in Tuesday’s CIF-Southern Section Division VI playoff matchup, but a late goal by Tara Aalem provided a narrow 1-0 victory over visiting Beaumont. The goal in the 69th minute was set up by a long free kick by Taylor Colliau that rebounded right to Aalem for the finish.

“We’ve been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round the last few years so we’re as determined as ever to go deep this time,” Colliau said. 

The Tigers nearly jumped out to an early lead in the 14th minute. Stacy Lee received a high-bouncing through pass near the top of Beaumont’s penalty box. Opposing goalkeeper Kelsey Dodson challenged the ball and collided with Lee and another defender. Lee flicked a header over Dodson and recovered from the contact to kick a slow shot that rolled inches wide of the goal.

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Both teams established a physical style of play and an abundance of foul calls increased the home crowd’s involvement. In the 35th minute, Michelle Lam was called for a foul on Beaumont’s Baylee Williams that drew so much banter that the referee specifically warned South Pasadena coach Randy Lilavois to quiet his home fans.

“I think we got a little too caught up in they’re physical play,” said Lilavois. “I told the girls to settle down and connect passes.”

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Beaumont’s best scoring opportunity came in stoppage time of the first half. Cierra Stull beat a Tiger defender along the left sideline and crossed the ball into the penalty box. Christina Vanderbyl won the ball and fired a shot from close range, but goalkeeper Angelique Ulmer made an incredible leaping save.

Ulmer was knocked unconscious in South Pasadena’s first round victory over Pomona and was hospitalized, so her return was especially fortuitous for the Tigers.

“I can’t say enough how big Angelique was for us,” Lilavois said. “She bailed us out at the end of the half.”

South Pasadena (14-6-5) dominated the time of possession in the second half, but the Tigers got a scare in the 51st minute when Colliau ran into an opposing player and went down with an apparent right knee injury. Colliau, who had been playing lockdown defense, stayed on the ground for several minutes and was forced to leave the game. 

“Coach (Lilavois) didn’t want to let me back in, but I told him I’d be fine,” said Colliau.

Colliau returned to the game in the 67th minute and made an immediate impact. She won a ball along the near sideline and was fouled as she brought the ball across midfield. She took a long shot on the free kick that sailed past the diving goalkeeper only to hit the crossbar. Aalem gathered the rebound and tapped it back into the open net.

The Cougars desperately tried to even the score, but the Tigers were able to fall back on defense and wait out the clock.

“Defense has been the story of our team,” said Lilavois. “It’s the reason we’ve lost just once in our last 14 games.”

South Pasadena will face the winner of St. Margaret’s matchup with Cate in Thursday's quarterfinals.

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