Playing the spoiler role

Estancia’s dreams of going undefeated in the Orange Coast League girls’ soccer season were ended on a cold Tuesday night.

The Laguna Beach Breakers struck early at Guyer Field and never let up in handing the visiting Eagles their most lopsided loss of the season, 5-0.

“Our win [Tuesday] night was a team effort with great contributions from our three captains, Laura Renault, Claire Rubel and Nikki Clark,” Laguna Coach Bill Rolfing said.

“Our girls understand that a team-style passing game is always our ambition and often very pretty to watch. But it also must be effective, intensely battling for passes, intercepts, crosses, clearances and rebounds must also factor into the game. Last night we played both ways, the beauty and the beast.”

Clark started the scoring when she successfully delivered on a long, 30-yard shot from sideline that found its way into the far corner.

In the 21st minute, a Clark corner kick was converted into a 2-0 lead when Courtney Capobianco slotted the ball into the net.

At that point in the match Estancia began to come alive, but whatever momentum the Eagles had going was stifled by the tenacious Laguna defensive efforts of junior Holden Penney and sophomore Kelsey Peterson.

Breakers goalie Lura Hills registered five saves in the match.

Laguna upped the score to 3-0 before the first half was completed when another Clark corner kick was swiftly headed into the goal by Jackie Csira.

As it had at the start of the game, Laguna was as equally aggressive at the outset of the second half as Renault battled strongly at midfield.

Kaylee Rees, Shelby Csira, Ashley Eaton and Riley Westgaard entered the game early in the second half and helped continue the Breakers’ dominance on the field.

Laguna’s fourth goal developed from the right side. Capobianco directed a ball to Renualt who then slipped a through ball to Rubel “” the league’s co-Defensive MVP last year “” who dribbled past the Estancia defense and pushed the ball into the goal.

Rubel also scored Laguna’s final goal, slamming a 15-yard shot into the upper-right corner of the net on a feed from Renault.

The victory kept the Breakers in the hunt for the program’s first league title in girls’ soccer. Rolfing said his team must take it “one game at a time.”

The Breakers played Calvary Chapel Thursday (the score wasn’t available at press time) and host Costa Mesa at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Laguna and Costa Mesa have played tight matches in two previous league meetings this year, with the Mustangs going 1-0-1 in those games.

The teams played to a 2-2 tie Jan. 15, and Costa Mesa held on for a 2-1 win Jan. 24.

“We look forward to getting even with Costa Mesa after a tough 2-1 loss on their swamped field last week,” Rolfing said.

“Our pitch suits our possession game well. Every game is crucial from this point on.”

Prior to Tuesday’s match against Estancia, Laguna honored the 14 senior players from the varsity and junior varsity teams with a Senior Night celebration. The 14 seniors are Courtney Capobianco, Tasha Cherpas, Nikki Clark, Azure Cooper, Jackie Csira, Ashley Eaton, Brianna Lacy, Angela Lozano, Kaylee Rees, Laura Renault, Claire Rubel, Shelby Serra, Ali Terwilliger and Riley Westgaard.