Laguna battles to 3-3 tie

Laguna Beach’s boys’ Division 5 All-Star soccer team played Rancho

Santa Margarita to the wire last weekend, and the tense Area 11-L

tournament battle ended in a 3-3 standstill.

Laguna Beach struck first on a beautiful header by Sam Stinnett.

Rancho Santa Margarita came back from the 1-0 deficit to post two

goals, including one on a penalty kick, to assume a 2-1 halftime

lead.

Following the break, Stinnett’s second goal brought Laguna Beach

to a 2-2 tie.

The play of forward Sammy Witte, mid-fielders Michael Dougher,

Morgan Curry, Wilber Abarca, Austin Hilleman and Nolan McConnell,

defenders Rouzbeh Kazemian, Sawyer Pierce and Travis Wilson, and

keepers Michael Hyden and McConnell, slowed down an aggressive and

high-powered Rancho Santa Margarita offense.

Stinnett completed a hat trick with a fourth period goal to give

Laguna Beach one last lead at 3-2.

After Rancho Santa Margarita tied up the match, Laguna Beach had

several, late scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert.

A diving save by Hyden late in the match preserved the victory.

Laguna Beach returns to Area 11-L playoff action on Saturday

against Aliso Viejo.

Match time is 10:15 a.m. at Thurston Middle School.