Laguna places second in Vegas

Under-12 boys’ team wins two games at tournament.Exceeding expectations, the Laguna Beach Club Soccer boys’ under-12 team finished runner-up at the City of Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup. Laguna was one of 12 teams playing in the tournament, which drew squads from California, Nevada and Arizona.

Laguna 4, Neusport 94 Green 2

Marc Hughes scored two goals as Laguna led from start to finish in its first tournament game.

Hughes first scored off a Brian Vail assist in the first half, and the team teamed up for Laguna’s second goal when Vail sent a header into the net off a cross from Hughes, making it 2-0.

Taking a 2-1 lead into the second half, Hughes scored again after receiving a pass from midfielder Rex Kelly.

Hughes weaved his way up the middle of the field to set up a chip shot into the net.

After Neusport had trimmed the lead to 2-1, Laguna forward Brice Manning sealed the match when he put a one-touch volley into the net off a pass from midfielder Christian Ochoa.

Pumas United 6, Laguna 2

In an earlier match, Pumas United had defeated a Neusport 94 Green team that Laguna had already beaten, but the locals couldn’t handle a hot start by the Las Vegas-based team.

Pumas United jumped out to a 4-0 lead, and after Laguna cut the deficit to 4-2, it scored the final two goals of the match.

Laguna’s two goals came off corner kick situations, one scored by midfielder Miguel Jaimes, the other by Brian Vail.

Despite the loss, Laguna advanced to the semifinal round based on total goals.

Laguna 2, Heat Futbol Club 0

Keeper Alex Iannotti set the tone by coming up with several first-half saves and recorded the shutout as Laguna bested the heat of Henderson, Nev.

Midfielder Miguel Jaimes scored first for Laguna when he muscled his way through the Heat defense to pick up a loose ball at the top of the 18-yard box and sent it into the net.

Laguna’s second goal was scored by Marc Hughes, who sent a chip shot into the net off a pass from forward Trey Franklin.

The defensive play of sweeper Paolo Noppenberger and fullbacks Aaron Tang, Zack LeBon, Logan Warren and Luke Barker helped shut down the Heat.

Cordica 94 7, Laguna 0

Tournament favorite Cordica 94 of Las Vegas, the current Nevada state champion in their age division, lived up to its billing as it rolled in the division final.