A part of Trump's wall?

Trump may want to hire Josie Bowen. He IS a wall. At least in soccer.

The sophomore was blunting attack after attack Tuesday to assure Lighthouse Christian Academy's victory over Westmark School in Encino. Their only goal was an own-goal, a bad deflection of another LCA player.

"Josie is our all-time best defender," said Coach Junior Cervantes. "He holds down the back line, and we put all our trust in Josie. He's the man. Especially at the end, he shut down their best player. He's always shutting down something.

"He's a wall," Cervantes said.

Josie strikes an intimidating figure at center back. A hulking sophomore, he is Lurch on the last line. He possesses a pick-pocket's precision to dispossess a striker. On Tuesday, Westmark players would be getting close to goal, and then out of nowhere, Josie would gallop in and leave them running forward without any ball, bewildered.

Josie's performance contrasted markedly with an otherwise lackluster and lethargic Lighthouse labor. It was a downgraded display, with just enough sparkle to rack up a handful of goals.

"Guys were getting tired, guys were getting lazy, and Josie just stepped up," Coach said.

The Saints won 4-1.

Mr. President, take note. You want a wall?? Maybe this Gambia-born boy adopted by Santa Monica missionaries could be a component in your plan.

For his part, Josie downplays his dominance. "It's mostly my teammates. They got my back: Steve (Lahood) got my back, Joey (Catalano), Ryan (Zepeda). They got my back. Without them, I'd be dead."

The Saints are now 5-1 for the season in the CIF Southern Section's Omega League and look solid for a playoff birth.

The opening goal was scored by Hosea Ashcraft, the mid-field master who had the presence of mind to NOT fire when a defender lunged in. Hosea side-stepped the lunge and then fired into the net.

The second goal was scored by Marcus Scribner who cheekily launched a scorcher from 25 yards out with an angle that left the Westmark goalie dumbfounded. Scribner followed up for the third goal with a left-footed spin kick that he slotted on the near post.

In the second half, Mosie Bowen (yes, he's Josie's brother) swooped in from the left to push in a ball that Hosea battled through the middle of the field towards goal.

A brilliant header by Garrett Lahood was whistled offsides, so the tally stayed at four.

On Thursday, LCA faces Pilgrim Christian again for its away game.

1st picture: Ethan Zerihun, Josie Bowen, Mozelle Marquez. 2nd picture: Ryan Zepeda, Joey Catalano and Josie Bowen.

Read about LCA's loss to Newbury that features a senior who figures who would be dead if not for Lighthouse. Read about Lighthouse's game against Gorman here, LCA's game against Pilgrim School, and its game against Highland Hall.