Oaks Christian School needed a heads-up play by Kristen Clark to lift the four-time Division V girls' soccer champion into its fifth CIF-Southern Section championship game in six years on Tuesday.

Kelly Johnson, a sophomore, threw the ball into a crowd and Clark, a senior midfielder, headed the ball past Oak Park goalie Allison James with 1:59 left for a 2-1 semifinal win at Oak Park High.

It was the third win this season for the Tri-Valley League champion Lions over the third-place league rival Eagles (14-7-6).

Oaks Christian (2-2) will play in Saturday's championship game against Downey, an 8-7 winner on penalty kicks over South Torrance after a scoreless tie. The site and time is expected to be determined today.

With CIF soccer finals having no overtime session, Oaks Christian has played to ties in the past four finals to earn four straight co-championships.

Oaks Christian lost to Pasadena Poly in the 2002 quarterfinals to Granite Hills in the 2006 semifinals. The Lions played a scoreless tie last year in the final against Cerritos Valley Christian.

Clark and her teammates were down 1-0 at halftime against the scrappy Eagles, who last defeated Oaks Christian, 3-2, a year ago in league play.

"We didn't give up," said Clark after third meeting. "It feels awesome."

Oak Park's Melanie Gaball converted a header off an assist by Stephanie Gilbert.

Oaks Christian's Alexandra Courtnall scored off a direct kick by Johnson with 14 minutes left in the game to tie the score and give the Lions energy down the stretch.

"It took us a while to get going," said Courtnall. "I knew we were going to win. I was really confident, but hoping and praying."

Oaks Christian took 20 shots. Oak Park had 12 shots, four on goal, but Lions goalie Noelle Salter made three crucial saves.

Salter, a junior, had seven takeaways.

Oaks Christian coach Jan Hethcock said he was proud of how his team fought off a valiant effort. Oak Park was playing without three injured starters — Tayler Johnsen, Kelsea Shorten and Ashley Umann.

"Oak Park coach Mark (Zeolla) does an outstanding job," said Hethcock.

"Their goalie (James) kept them in the game," said Hethcock.

Hethcock was elated with his young stars, led by sophomore Lauren Lindstrom, freshman Jaciara Mello, Courtnall and Johnson.

Courtnall came from British Columbia and was happy to become a member of a traditional power.

Zeolla, a second-year coach, had a team of 21 underclassmen and loses three seniors.

"The league we play in is so strong. We had plenty of opportunities today," said Zeolla.

Oak Park played a strong non-league schedule against teams from the Marmonte and Channel leagues along with several other powerhouse programs.