Lucky Capistrano Valley Gets a Tie

It seems Lady Luck enjoys girls’ soccer games between Capistrano Valley and Mission Viejo--but she’s a fickle fan.

Last year, luck appeared in the form of a questionable overtime goal that gave the Diablos a victory over the Cougars in the Southern Section semifinals at Mission Viejo High.

Luck sided with the Cougars on Tuesday at the same field, hoisting a chipped shot off the toe of Michelle McGinnis and spinning it high in the air. All players stopped as they watched the ball soar over the penalty area.

Mission Viejo goalkeeper Hannah Cochrun tried to position herself but not even a math whiz could have calculated the ball’s trajectory as it suddenly fell, slipping just inside the bar and landing in the goal.

The goal tied the score, 1-1, with three minutes remaining and that’s the way it ended in a South Coast League game.

“We got lucky? Heck yeah, we did,” Capistrano Valley Coach Hamid Sedehi said.

The Cougars, 12-2-3 and 2-0-1 in league, are ranked No. 1 in the county and battling with Mater Dei (12-2, 3-0) for first place in league. Capistrano Valley hosts second-ranked Mater Dei at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.

The Diablos (12-3-4, 1-1-2) were hoping for a victory over the Cougars to stay in the league race. After watching the victory slip away with McGinnis’ goal, Mission Viejo Coach George Larsen could only shrug.

“We had a questionable goal last year in the semis, they get a lucky goal today. That’s the way soccer goes,” he said.

Even more disappointing for the Diablos was that McGinnis’ goal lessened the impact of a beautifully-executed Diablo goal seven minutes earlier.

Jennie Mescher started a run next to teammate Erin Lowery and Lowery, a freshman, made an excellent pass into the right corner for her.

Mescher beat her defender and crossed the ball in front of the goal, where Sarah Higham volleyed it into the net.

“That’s a world-class goal,” Larsen said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”

About a minute later, Lowery might have scored on a breakaway but Cougar Liz Delgado dragged her down from behind. Delgado was awarded a yellow card and the Diablos did not score on the ensuing free kick.

“It was a great foul. We probably got away with one,” Sedehi said, indicating his agreement with Larsen that the foul could have warranted a red card.

In other South Coast League games:

Dana Hills 0, Trabuco Hills 0--Rachel Grossman had four saves in her fourth shutout for host Dana Hills (8-4-2, 0-1-2).

Mater Dei 5, San Clemente 1--Katie Ticehurst was assisted by Tracy Winzen and Alison Fennell on her two goals for second-ranked Mater Dei (12-2, 3-0).