Eagles lose, but still alive

Estancia still in playoff hunt despite 3-2 setback to Saddleback on Tuesday afternoon.SANTA ANA -- The Estancia High girls’ soccer team has shown it has the talent to compete with the top teams in the Golden West League, but there may be a missing ingredient that keeps them a tier below.

The Eagles are still in position to capture their first CIF playoff berth in 11 years, but they had a minor setback on Tuesday when they lost to Saddleback, 3-2.

Like the first game between the teams -- a 0-0 tie at Orange Coast College on Jan. 12 -- Estancia controlled the action for long spurts.

This time, though, Saddleback took advantage of its opportunities early. By the time Estancia netted its chances, it was too little, too late.

“Estancia, from their goalkeeper to their last player, is very talented,” Saddleback Coach Alex Rico said. “I’m not sure what is missing on that team, but I’ll tell you, it wasn’t easy for us.”

Estancia had six quality scoring opportunities in the first half, but only one of those shots were on net. Saddleback scored on its first shot on goal and netted two of its first four quality chances to take a 2-0 lead in the first half.

“We’ve got to learn to finish,” Estancia Coach Steve Crenshaw said. “We have tons of talent, we dominate games, we just don’t put the ball in the net.”

The Eagles (6-7-4, 4-4-3 in league) fell behind, 3-0, midway through the second half before they finally took advantage of a scoring opportunity. Sophomore Stacy McDaniels’ free kick from 25 yards out banked off Saddleback goalkeeper Ruby Lopez’s outstretched hands and into the goal to cut into the Roadrunners’ lead.

Estancia added a second goal in the last minute of the game. McDaniels’ corner kick deflected off a couple of bodies and hit the crossbar. Taylor West picked up the rebound and scored to cut the deficit to 3-2. But 30 seconds later, the game ended.

“We have dominated or have the potential to dominate everyone in our league,” Crenshaw said. “We’ve done it to everyone but Costa Mesa. We’ve got to get hungry and get after it. Maybe I have to lock the girls up in a room and feed them red meat.”

Angeles Martinez, Jessica Godinez and Fatima Gutierrez scored for Saddleback (8-2-2), which goes into the CIF playoffs as the second-place team out of the Golden West League.

“We’ve had our ups and downs this season with injuries and inconsistent play,” Rico said. “But now we’re healthy and working as a team and finishing strong. It’s what I’ve been waiting for all season.”

Estancia must win its regular season finale against Santa Ana on Thursday to assure itself of a playoff berth, which would be an impressive feat considering the team’s recent history.

“I’m proud of the girls,” Crenshaw said. “This program has been the doormat of whatever league they’ve been in the last 11 years. This season, we were in contention for second place -- if we could only finish our chances.”

Golden West League

Saddleback 3, Estancia 2

Score by Halves