Girls Soccer Playoffs: Westlake fights past Poly and into quarterfinals

Feb. 27--Although she had a fat lip and scratches inside her cheek, Tara McKeown still managed to flash a smile.

The freshman forward was a fitting symbol for the Westlake High girls soccer team Wednesday afternoon.

The Warriors emerged from their game against Long Beach Poly bloodied but not beaten.

After tormenting defenders most of the game with her speed, McKeown finally broke through in the second half with an insurance goal to cap Westlake's 2-0 victory in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs at Westlake High.

Westlake (14-4-1) plays second-seeded Chino Hills on the road in Friday's quarterfinals.

A few minutes after scoring, McKeown took an elbow to the face that sent her sprawling to the turf and drew a yellow card. She had to be removed from the game for good, but not before giving the Warriors a little breathing room.

"I was getting a little frustrated because I hadn't scored a bunch all season, and I knew in the second half I wanted to get a goal," said McKeown, whose braces did some internal damage to the inside of her mouth. "I wasn't going to stop until I did, and I was glad I was able to finish that last one."

Long Beach Poly (13-7-5) nearly struck first in the second minute, but Selena Cuara's shot following a corner kick hit the left post.

Westlake took advantage with a beautiful goal in the eighth minute. Freshman midfielder Sami Fairweather sent a cross to senior McKenna Masters, who was streaking down the middle of the field.

Masters struck the ball in stride toward the far post to give Westlake a 1-0 lead.

"That was a big-time goal," Westlake High head coach Frank Marino said. "Sami played a great ball and McKenna scored one of the best goals I have ever seen her finish. That was important in a game like this to get us up early. I thought that was key."

Westlake's defense eluded danger a few times on set pieces and throw-ins to preserve the shutout.

Poly had a goal called back on an offside call in the first half and Westlake goalkeeper Megan Chavez smothered two other attempts in the second half.

"They are very athletic and good in the air on long throws and crosses," Marino said. "I thought we did a great job of defending all those situations to keep ourselves in the game."

McKeown's insurance goal came in the 57th minute when freshman Brooke Wynalda played a ball to McKeown's feet just outside the box. McKeown spun on her defender, took a few dribbles and scored.

With a two-goal cushion, Westlake's biggest obstacle the remainder of the game was avoiding injuries as play turned a bit nasty.

Poly began playing more of the body than the ball and Westlake defenders Kelsey Kimball and Kaitlin Pitcher became causalities.

"They were physical and they were playing their last game of the year," Marino said. "They were going to play ultra-hard for those last 20 minutes and we lost a few defenders. But I was pleased people came in and did the job in their place."

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