Locals help in tourney victory

The Laguna Niguel Soccer Club boys’ Under-17 team, whose roster includes several players from Laguna Beach, has won the Silver Elite South Division title.

The team, coached by Andy Thomas, capped an 8-2-1 season Nov. 17 with a 2-1 victory over Corona.

The squad, which will be moving up to Gold Level competition next year, not only captured first-place but also led the league in goal differential, goals scored and had the fewest penalty cards.

Team captain and sweeper Sheldon Eaton, defender/midfielder Caine Fair, goalie Alex Germano, defender/forward Ian Greene, forward Bryce Healey, midfielder Tommy Hopper and defender/midfielder Noah Michelon also are members of the Laguna Beach High boys’ soccer team.

In AYSO soccer

The Laguna Chicks Football Club has earned a spot in the upcoming AYSO regional semifinals.

The girls’ Under-12 team won its pool (Pool B) in the postseason competition and is the lone undefeated team in its division, Coach Todd Thornton said.

The Laguna Chicks, who entered postseason as a second-place team, completed pool play with a 3-0 victory over the Purple Pumas in Region 86 action.

In a match played at the Top of the World field, playmaker Makenzie Fischer scored in the opening quarter to give the Laguna Chicks a 1-0 lead, a lead that stood at the half.

At the outset of the second half, forward Paige Toro was fouled on a dribble upfield and the Laguna Chicks were awarded a free kick. Kira Thornton drilled that kick toward the goal and the ball bounced off a Pumas defender and into the net to make it 2-0.

Toro scored her second goal in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

Making key contributions to the Laguna Chicks cause were Janie Hexberg, Amanda Dial, Anne Brown, Monica White, Claire Howell, Samantha Mathews, Ingrid Dickinson, Alexis Coglitore and goalie Hailey Ferguson who made several saves to earn the shutout.

“We’re very proud of this group of girls,” Coach Todd Thornton said. “When they needed a win, they all stepped up and played their hearts out.”

The Laguna Chicks play their semifinal match at El Moro School at 3:45 p.m. on Nov. 30.

A victory would send the team on to the division final on Dec. 1.