Soccer teams impress

Girls’ squad slips past Garden Grove; boys’ team rallies to beat Mira Costa.The Laguna Beach High girls’ soccer team notched its second victory of the young season Monday by downing visiting Garden Grove, 2-1, in nonleague play at Guyer Field.

The Breakers dominated the second half of play against an Argonaut team that was coming off a successful season.

“Garden Grove won 15 games last season, and we knew we had to step it up,” Laguna coach Bill Rolfing said. “Our plan was to shut them down defensively, and it worked better than anticipated.

“We were able to constantly apply offensive pressure with wing play and quick passing.”

The visitors scored first, however, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by the Breakers. But just before the half, Laguna countered the score with a deep attack on the right wing by sophomore Courtney Capobianco.

Capobianco cut the ball back to senior Anna Hopper, who blasted the ball into the net from 10-yards out to make it 1-1 at the break.

The second half was all Laguna, and the winning goal was posted by sophomore Jackie Csira with an assist from sophomore Marissa Hoffman.

Senior Jessica Heitel played a steady game at center-back, and senior Jaime Hancock played “tenaciously” at stopper, Rolfing said.

Four games into the season, Laguna is 2-1-1 and next will participate in the JSerra Tournament, which begins Monday.

Laguna opened the season on Dec. 1 with a 2-0 victory at Ocean View. The Breakers then lost a touch match to Division I program Laguna Hills, 2-1, and fought Estancia to a 2-2 tie on Dec. 8.

On Dec. 27, Laguna will be in Palm Springs to play in the Desert Winter Girls’ Soccer Tournament.

Rolfing has been pleased with his team’s play, noting it has made great strides over the last nine months.

“Quick, skilled girls are coming into the school from year-around programs and giving all three teams a new level of competitiveness,” he said. “New coaches Tiffany Willis, Summer Chaldu and Rosie Dobbs, all Laguna grads, have returned to lead their teams with college-style instruction and as role models.

“I’m very happy with the new staff and openly want to thank outgoing athletic director, Ron Schwartz, for his diligent support for Laguna Beach High sports programs. Last season was a true test for the girls’ program and a realization of work to be done. Now, we are on our way.”

In boys’ soccer action:

Laguna traveled Monday to Manhattan Beach to take on Mira Costa in nonleague action, and the visiting Breakers came away with a 2-1 win over the Mustangs.

Laguna coach Giovanni Vlahos began his high school coaching career at Mira Costa four years ago, first with the frosh/soph team before moving on to the junior varsity level. Laguna took on a Mira Costa team consisting of players Vlahos had coached.

Playing on what Vlahos termed “terrible” field conditions -- a slippery, muddy field -- neither team was able to maintain its balance or find any offensive rhythm. They went into the locker room scoreless.

Mira Costa got on the scoreboard first by posting a goal on a direct free kick. Five minutes before the end of regulation, Laguna was awarded a free kick from 20 yards out. Breakers captain Derek LeBon buried the ball into the back of the Mustangs net to tie the score.

Laguna’s defense came up with a steal and turned the theft into what Vlahos called an “amazing” counterattack. From there, the Breakers sent LeBon on a breakaway , and he responded with his second blast into the net.

That goal put Laguna up 2-1 with a minute to play, and they held on for victory.

“At the final whistle, my emotions were all over the place,” Vlahos said. “I felt bad for the boys I left behind at Costa, but I was so proud of the way Laguna Beach played. I could not have been more proud of them.

“They all knew how important this game was to me and how I wanted this win more than anything. I told them before the game that I never ask them for anything on a personal level, but this time, I was, and they came through for me.

“Words can’t describe how I feel about these 18 young men who stepped it up and wouldn’t let each other down. They are finally starting to see each other as a ‘family,’ and that is an amazing thing for a coach to see.”20051216irk8a9ncDON LEACH / COASTILE PILOT(LA)Laguna’s Jamie Hancock, right, boots the ball through a defender’s legs in first half.