Still no cigar for Laguna

Oh-so-close.

Again.

For the second-straight year, the Laguna Beach girls’ soccer team missed making the CIF-Southern Section playoffs by a single game.

Costa Mesa captured its sixth-straight league championship by winning its second-consecutive Orange Coast League title. Estancia finished in second-place, followed by Laguna Beach then fourth-place Calvary Chapel.

The battle for second place came down to the Laguna-Estancia match on Feb. 7, the final day of the regular season. Despite out-shooting Estancia, Laguna, needing a win to secure second-place, suffered a 3-0 defeat and with it came a wait-and-see game for the Breakers.

The Orange Coast League, with just four members, is allowed a guaranteed two playoff berths in all sports.

Laguna was one of two schools left out.

At 3-4-2 in league and 10-9-4 overall, Coach Bill Rolfing petitioned the Southern Section office on Feb. 7, in an effort to land Laguna an at-large spot in the Division III playoffs.

Rolfing said the petition was “based upon” the Breakers’ strong performance against other league champions and Costa Mesa’s strength in the Orange Coast League.

But there weren’t any at-large bids “available this year,” Rolfing said, as the division’s tournament field was full.

Westridge, the fourth-place team from the Prep League, played Righetti, the No. 3 team from the Pac 7 League, and Arlington (Ivy League No. 3) played Bellflower (Suburban League No. 4), in the two Division III wild-card games Wednesday (Feb. 13).

During the season, Laguna played Costa Mesa to a tie match and lost close 2-1 decisions to the Mustangs. They also went 1-1-1 against Estancia.

“The 2007-08 season was a huge step up for the Laguna Beach High girls’ soccer program,” Rolfing said. “The junior varsity team, coached by Ed Ornelas, and the frosh/soph team coached by Sara Appel and Stephanie Brown, were both undefeated champions of the Orange Coast League.”

Jennifer Lundblad coached with Rolfing at the varsity level.

“We had a great preseason and the near-CIF Orange Coast League season reflects monumental improvement in the last three seasons,” Rolfing said. “This year’s squad was led by captains Laura Renault, Claire Rubel and Nikki Clark. Senior Courtney Capobianco became the second-leading scorer in Laguna history.”

Six starters will return for the 2008-09 season including premier-level club player Holden Penney, Rolfing said.

“The striking challenge for the Laguna Beach High varsity-level, is the high percentage of club players at other schools. Many varsity teams, even in the small Orange Coast League, are starting ninth- and 10th-grade girls who already have six years of club experience. To compete, Laguna will have to deal with the skill and speed of these players by promoting the same development. Parents at the lower school levels in Laguna need to recognize these opportunities for their daughter’s game.”