Laguna Beach boys’ soccer falls, 5-0

Playing in a competitive mode the entire season should have helped

the Laguna Beach boys’ under-13 club soccer team in its match against

host JUSA Select last weekend.

Much of that competitive spirit, however, was absent at East Side

Park in Yorba Linda, as Laguna Beach struggled from the start in an

eventual 5-0 loss.

Mistake-prone Laguna Beach did not live up to its potential and

dug itself into a deep hole early. JUSA Select, meanwhile, took

advantage of its opportunities and scored often in the opening half

to take a comfortable 4-0 lead at the intermission.

Laguna Beach’s defense, however, stiffened in the second half and

limited the host team to just one more goal.

The match was in sharp contrast to the team’s first meeting

earlier in the season, which ended in a 1-1 tie back on Sept. 28.

The loss dropped Laguna Beach to 2-7-2 in Silver South Division

play, good for sixth place in the eight-team league.

The team will need to recapture its competitive spirit this

weekend if it hopes to contend with a tough Real FC Toros squad.

The teams will meet Sunday in a 1 p.m. start at Westminster High.

In the team’s first meeting on Oct. 5, Real FC Toros defeated

Laguna Beach, 7-3.

Real FC Toros is 8-0-3 overall and currently in second place in

the Silver South standings.