Canoga Park just put itself in the Winter FAB 50 national title running by winning the West Coast High School Classic on Saturday, topping Loyola, 3-0, in the final.
Canoga Park (9-0-1), the CIF-Los Angeles Section runner-up a year ago, went 6-0-1 during the four-day event.
Willy Velasquez gave the Hunters a 1-0 lead in the final with a first-half goal, assisted by Omar De La Piedra.
In the 58th minute, Salvador Hernandez served up a corner that De La Piedra redirected with a glancing header into the upper far post for a 2-0 lead.
In the closing minutes, Hernardez, who is commited to Cal State Northridge, lined up a sure left-footer for the final goal.
Canoga Park was the first LA team to enter the 32-team WCHSC. It's victory will vault the 9-0-1 Hunters into the Top 5 in the next FAB 50 with a legitimate shot at a national crown.
In the semifinals, Loyola edged Santa Ana Valey on PKs following a 1-1 draw. Canoga Park defeated defending champion Clovis West, 2-1, in the other semifinal.
Loyola won the WCHSC in 2004 and was a semifinalist in 2005.
The Cubs had a chance to equalize late in the first half, but Casey Buckley's attempt was smothered by Hunters' first-half keeper Ryan Thomas. Loyola dominated play for the first five minutes of the second half, and two great chances were stopped by second-half keeper Cesar Ventura.
After surviving Loyola's early second-half rush, Canoga Park dominated possession over the final 30 minutes.
Canoga Park is 32-1-1 in its last 34 matches.
