Girls’ Soccer: Kaucher does the trick for Estancia
Lauren Kaucher only has a few games left, maybe less, in her competitive soccer career.
The Estancia High senior quit club soccer at the beginning of the year, and she doesn’t really want to play in college. However far the Eagles advance in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoffs, that will be the extent of Kaucher’s career.
On Monday night, though, Kaucher picked a good time to try something new.
Kaucher had her first-ever hat trick, scoring all three goals as Estancia beat Calvary Chapel, 3-1, in an Orange Coast League game at Jim Scott Stadium.
“It was exciting, especially being a senior and this being one of my last games, the last time I play Calvary,” Kaucher said.
With one league game remaining, Kaucher and Estancia (12-5-1, 7-2 in league) clinched outright second place in league. Calvary Chapel (10-5-2, 4-4) still has two league games remaining, but can’t catch up.
Laguna Beach (9-0 in league) clinched the outright league title with a 6-0 victory over Costa Mesa on Monday.
For Estancia, Kaucher had a career-type of game. She helped her team rally, after Calvary Chapel took the lead in the 13th minute. Estancia gave the ball away in its defensive end, with Sydney Duarte taking it. Bailey Coffin then had the shot that put Calvary Chapel ahead early.
Seven minutes later, Estancia Coach Josh Juarez substituted in Kaucher and Katarina Freiberger. Kaucher is used to coming off the bench this season.
She tied the score in the 25th minute after Estancia junior Isabelle Cruz, who put pressure on the Calvary defense all night long, earned a corner kick.
Desiree Mendoza’s corner went through the box, and Cruz’s shot was deflected. The ball came to Kaucher, who put it past Calvary goalie Alex Dimel from a tough angle near the end line.
Freiberger sparked the second goal, stealing the ball in the Estancia end and sprinting ahead. She found Kaucher near the top-right part of the box, and Kaucher stuck a precise cross-cage shot into the upper-left corner. Dimel, who made six saves starting in place of Calvary senior keeper Gabi Haw (sick), didn’t have a chance.
Kaucher added her third goal in stoppage time of the first half, after another corner kick from Mendoza. The ball bounced around in the box before Kaucher stuck it in.
That was three goals in about 20 minutes. Estancia had a 3-1 halftime advantage.
“Welcome to the Lauren show,” an Estancia fan yelled. Juarez just smiled.
“She’s not a captain, but she acts like a captain,” Juarez said after the game. “She brings a great attitude every single day to practice ... so she’s earned a game like that with all the work she’s put in this year. There’s definitely a lot of competition for playing time at the wing spot on this team. She’s in the mix with those girls, but she really stepped up for us today. I’m elated for her; she deserved that.”
Estancia, ranked No. 7 in Division 4, kept the lead in the second half with good midfield play from Delani Guyot and Tabytha Smith, plus defense from Elizabeth Esquivel, Annalysa Cowie, Jailene Bell and Jada Alford. Junior keeper Monique Mendoza made four saves.
“I thought our girls were definitely confident coming out tonight,” Juarez said. “We didn’t have a lot of time to mope [after losing at Laguna Beach last Thursday]. We had to come out here and fight for that second seed [out of league], and we did.”
Estancia hopes to keep momentum heading into the regular-season finale against cross-town rival Costa Mesa on Wednesday night. It’s senior night for Estancia, and Juarez knows the Mustangs (1-7 in league) will be trying to pull of the upset.
Freiberger and senior Samantha Haynes are still getting up to speed late in the season after returning from injuries. Integrating them into the team will be key for the Eagles, with CIF looming next week. Haynes played the last 15 minutes on Monday in the midfield position.
Kaucher may not score another hat trick, but she believes her team will be ready.
“I think we’ve definitely grown as a team together,” she said. “We’re doing a lot better, learning to work with each other really well. I think it’s definitely starting to pay off for us, and connecting us as a team.”
Twitter: @mjszabo
