Rally not enough to save Laguna

Mike Sciacca

Despite a valiant effort, Laguna Beach’s boys’ 13-and-under

Division club soccer team could not overcome the fast-charging Real

FC Toros.

Using a quick start to open the match, the unbeaten Real FC Toros

were even quicker at the end, scoring four goals over the match’s

final seven minutes to pull away to a 7-3 victory at Moulton Meadows

in Laguna Beach.

The Real FC Toros put Laguna in a hole from opening kick as they

opened up a 3-0 lead, a lead they would hold at the half.

But Laguna showed its resiliency in the second half.

Behind the two-goal scoring of Austin Hyden and a goal by Shane

Springer, Laguna staged a strong comeback and tied the game up at

3-3.

But Laguna never could overtake the lead, and the Real FC Toros

used a four-goal onslaught down the stretch.

The loss came on the heels of a pair of ties, as Laguna battled

Canyon PSA and JUSA Select to 1-1 standstills.

Against Canyon PSA, Austin Hyden’s centering pass in front of the

goal was converted by Josh Wells into a goal, which gave Laguna an

eventual, 1-0 halftime advantage.

Laguna received outstanding defensive pressure from Kevin Buck,

Keegan Valakia, Michael Tachovsky, Shane Springer and Marshall

Thomas.

Only a last-minute goal by Canyon PSA deprived Laguna of a shutout

victory.

In tying JUSA Select, 1-1, Laguna controlled much of the first

half action, yet trailed at the break, 1-0.

The play of Hyden, Charles Moothart, Devin Hands, Brian Schriver

and Jared Berkson keyed Laguna’s first half effort.

Laguna tied the score midway through the second half. Hyden stole

a pass near mid-field, beat four JUSA Select defenders off the

dribble and ultimately, JUSA’s goalkeeper, to put the ball into the

back of the net.

Grant Windes made several nice plays in the net for Laguna and

received solid backup from a defense led by Tachovsky, Springer,

Hyden, Valaika and Buck.

Matt Miller, Trey Whitaker and Brett Hardy also contributed to the

tie.