THE PREPS : GIRLS’ SOCCER ROUNDUP : Mater Dei Wins South Coast Title

Mater Dei used its size and speed to control Capistrano Valley and win the South Coast League girls’ soccer title with a 2-0 victory Thursday at Mater Dei.

The third-ranked Monarchs (13-5-5, 6-0-3) scored both their goals in the first half. Outshooting the Cougars, 23-5, in the first 40 minutes, Mater Dei scored on a corner kick by sophomore Kristie Hoback and a header by junior Trisha Steiner that came off a Hoback corner kick.

Capistrano Valley (16-8-2, 5-4-1) turned the tables in the second half, outshooting the Monarchs, 13-4, but the Cougars couldn’t get the ball past Monarch goalkeeper Amanda Fox, who had three saves.

The Cougars, who lost to Trabuco Hills, Dana Hills and the Monarchs this week, are guaranteed at least a third-place finish in league, earning a Southern Section playoff berth.