Laguna Beach clinches CIF playoff spot with tie

The Laguna Beach High girls’ soccer team clinched a CIF playoff berth Tuesday at Estancia High by battling the Eagles to a 1-1 tie in Orange Coast League play.

The outcome also allowed the Breakers to set a school record for the most points (27) scored during the regular season in the 29-year history of the program.

Laguna has lost just four times in 22 matches and improved to 9-4-9 overall. The record surpasses the previous season best set during the 1999 season.

Head Coach Bill Rolfing and assistant Jennifer Lundblad attributed this year’s success to individual player commitment, teammate confidence and strict adherence to a passing style game.

The Breakers, who went to 3-2-2 in league, came back from a 1-0 first half deficit to tie the match in the 70th minute. The goal came off a corner kick by sophomore Jenny Maddocks that was headed in by freshman Marina Paul

Laguna fought back the halftime deficit by playing with a “renewed determination” in the second half, Rolfing said. Senior Holden Penney dominated the midfield play and pressed a Breaker attack that resulted in 15 second-half shots. The undefeated Eagles scrambled time after time to clear the ball from the relentless attack by Sam Kafer, Alex DeGarmo and Kelsey Rustigian. Penney, at center-midfield with Paul, allowed the outside wing play of Maddocks and Alex Williamson to penetrate deep into the Estancia end.

Defensively, Kelsey Peterson, Christina Gardilcic and keeper Lura Hills turned away most Eagle counters, with Hills getting seven saves.

Laguna ends league and regular-season play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Costa Mesa.

Regular season winding down for Laguna boys

Laguna has two more games left on the regular schedule, beginning with a 4:45 p.m. league clash today at Estancia. The Breakers close out the regular season with 6 p.m. Wednesday league match at Costa Mesa.

Laguna takes a 1-2-3 league record into today’s game at Estancia. The Breakers are coming off a 2-0 loss to Calvary Chapel in their last match played Jan. 30.

“” Mike Sciacca