Laguna soccer claims Bronze South division

Boys’ under-15 team defeats North County Titans in title game.Two wins last weekend by the Laguna Beach Club Soccer boys’ under-15 team was enough to give the locals the Bronze South Division championship in Coast Soccer League action.

Laguna Beach defeated Laguna Niguel, 3-1, and, in a Sunday showdown for the division title, upended the North County Titans, 2-1. Laguna finished the regular season on a five-game win streak to improve to 10-4 overall.

Laguna Beach 3, Laguna Niguel 1

In its first weekend match played Saturday, Laguna traveled to Oaks polo field and defeated Laguna Niguel by a 3-1 score for the second time this season. As Laguna was defeating Laguna Niguel, the North County Titans upset the first-place Santa Ana Toros, 3-2. That win put the Titans and Laguna into a tie for the top of the division standings, each with 27 points.

Laguna 2, North County 1

In a showdown for the division championship at Glenview Middle School in Anaheim, coach Andy Thomas’ squad came up with a big defensive effort to claim the crown.

Twelve minuted into the contest, Tommy Hopper put Laguna ahead for good by using his right foot to boot a shot into the goal from 10 feet out.

Just 10 minutes before halftime, the Titans scored what turned out to be their lone goal on a corner kick. That tied the score at 1-1 at the break.

Laguna’s defense was solid throughout the match. Keeper Alex Germano was supported by fullbacks Jack Monroe and Yorel Porcile, sweeper Noah Michelon and stopper Alex “Flippy” Shusko.

Hopper and Tim Fulton used their speed on the wings to create several scoring chances, and Laguna also received solid contributions from midfielders Daniel Selevan, Caine Fair and Jasper Bower, as well as Bryce Healey in the middle of the forward attack.

Laguna played without Graham Harris and Michael Lewis, who both sat out due to injuries, and Max Radach, who was out with the flu.

Laguna came out and played aggressively from the outset of the second half. Twenty-three minutes into the half, Shusko controlled the ball at midfield and sent a pass to Hopper on the left wing. Hopper then split the defense with a pass to Healey, who was one-on-one with the keeper. Healey gave a body-fake that allowed him to send a shot into the goal to give Laguna a 2-1 advantage.

Laguna’s defense protected that lead by shutting out the Titans the entire second half.

“A great squad performance,” Thomas said of his team. “We earned it and we deserve to be champs. Not only have the boys been working toward this since summer, but it’s been something we have been building toward for the last five or six years.

“Any coach is only as good as the players, and I am fortunate to have a great squad who are a joy to work with. They have developed into outstanding young men who have earned their success. I am lucky to get to spend time on the soccer field with them.”