Capistrano Valley States Its Case for Top Ranking

Despite Aliso Niguel’s upset of Capistrano Valley last week, Wolverine Coach Randy Dodge said the Cougars remained the best girls’ soccer team in the county and should stay atop the rankings.

On Tuesday, the now third-ranked Cougars, backed Dodge’s statement with a decisive 2-0 victory over No. 1 Santa Margarita in a nonleague game at Capistrano Valley.

The Cougars (4-1) took control immediately. Santa Margarita (4-1) got across midfield fewer than 10 times, getting off only three shots: a penalty kick, a free kick and an attempt off a corner kick.

The Cougars took 31 shots. Two went in the goal, six hit the posts or the crossbar, and 12 were saved by goalkeepers Lauren Kent (9) and Julie Peterson (3).

“They got a little discouraged after the loss to Aliso,” Capistrano Valley Coach Jack Peterson said. “But I think it kind of brought us back to center. It gave us a new energy.”

Capistrano Valley junior midfielder Kristen Moore constantly beat her defenders to the corner, setting up play after play. However, it wasn’t until two minutes into the second half that Moore was able to help the Cougars score. She got the ball on the side of the goal, juked around her defender and slammed a shot that bounced off the far post. Senior midfielder Haleigh Roach was there to knock in the rebound.

Less than 20 minutes later, forward Coco D’Angelo entered the game for the first time and ended up on the receiving end of a beautifully placed pass up the middle by senior forward Lindsay Greco. D’Angelo took the ball on the run, with two defenders giving chase, and easily blasted it past Peterson.

“They exposed everything that we need to fix,” Santa Margarita Coach Chuck Morales said. “But if you are going to lose, you want to get it handed to you by this team. This is the team you need to play if you are going to get any better.”