Soccer teams blank Costa Mesa

The Laguna Beach High girls’ soccer team, a squad that has the luxury of getting contributions for every member of its 19-player roster, has been on a roll in its last three matches.

Since playing Costa Mesa to a 1-1 tie in its Orange Coast League opener on Jan. 11, Laguna has been impressive in posting three-straight shutout victories.

The victims have been Estancia (3-0) and both Calvary Chapel and Costa Mesa have lost to the Breakers by a score of 2-0.

The win over Costa Mesa came Tuesday. Laguna Coach Bill Rolfing said that junior Claire Rubel had “another stellar game” at central defense while assisted by freshman stopper Kelsey Peterson.

Rolfing also praised the performance of senior keeper Lauren Caris who now has given up just one goal in four league matches. Strong play at midfield came from junior Laura Renault and sophomores Holden Penney and Madeline Arterburn.

Laguna did all of its scoring Tuesday in the first half.

The first goal came on what Rolfing termed a “fine overlap run” by senior Wesley Hamchuk. The senior threaded a 40-yard cross to junior forward Nikki Clark who in turn volleyed the ball into the net.

One of Courtney Capobianco’s key contributions on the night was an assist on the second goal. The junior was able to navigate a deep run into the Mustangs defense where she dropped a pass to junior Kaylee Rees who then planted a 30-yard shot into the far corner of the goal.

In its previous league match, Laguna shut out visiting Calvary Chapel, 2-0. Capobianco scored both Breakers goals, one on a penalty kick and the other off an assist from junior Marissa Hoffman.

Laguna, now 10-6-2, travels to Orange Coast College Tuesday for a 3 p.m. league match against Calvary Chapel. They also play at Costa Mesa at 3 p.m. next Thursday.

In boys’ soccer

Like the school’s girls’ team, Laguna’s boys also blanked Costa Mesa by a 2-0 score on Wednesday.

The win evened Laguna’s league record at 2-2 as the Breakers successfully bounced back from consecutive losses to Estancia and Calvary Chapel.

Seniors Brennen Healey and Jonathan Martinez both scored goals, junior Michael Tachovsky had an assists and senior Erik Haug got the shutout on five saves as the Breakers defense completely shut down the Mustangs.

Last Friday, Laguna suffered its second league loss, falling 2-1 to visiting Calvary Chapel. Healey scored the lone Laguna goal and Haug recorded five saves.

The Breakers return to the field today for a 3 p.m. match at Estancia. The Eagles won the first meeting between the teams, 4-1, on Jan. 17, a match where Laguna held a 1-0 halftime lead.

“This will be a key match for us against a team that we are clearly capable of beating if we play like we did on Wednesday.”

Next Wednesday, Laguna takes on Calvary Chapel at 3 p.m. at Orange Coast College.