Laguna struggles to finish

Two games were within reach in the past week for the Laguna Beach High girls’ soccer team, but victory in Orange Coast League action just eluded the Breakers in both instances.

Laguna took a 2-0 lead Tuesday on host Calvary Chapel at Centennial Park in Santa Ana, but a turn of events in the game’s final 15 minutes resulted in the game ending in a 2-2 tie.

The Breakers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half on a score by junior midfielder Audrey Pillsbury following a deflection by the Calvary Chapel goalie. The Breakers dominated the opening half but settled for a 1-0 lead at the break.

The second Laguna goal was set up on an overlap from junior right defender Janie Crawford, who placed a pass to Hannah Budroe. The sophomore defender, who entered the game in the second half, spun and passed off to senior forward Katelyn Carballo, who netted a goal from five yards out.

Holding a 2-0 lead with 15 minutes to play, a collision between a Calvary Chapel player and Laguna junior goalie Kylie George resulted in a loose ball rolling into the net, and George having to leave the game due to injury. Five minutes later, a free kick was awarded to Calvary Chapel and the Eagles were able to convert the equalizing goal.

Laguna Coach Bill Rolfing called the outcome a “frustrating draw.”

The result left Laguna 1-1-1 in league, and 6-5-3 overall.

“The second tough result in a row,” Rolfing said. “Feeling a win or draw was available against Estancia, the team was determined to get the win over Calvary. The loss of Kylie George was a game-changer and circumstances allowed Calvary to score two late goals.”

Laguna faced perennial league contender Estancia in their previous league game Jan. 16, and was edged, 2-1, by the visiting Eagles at Guyer Field.

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead at the half, scoring off a deflected free kick. They upped their lead to 2-0 by scoring on a penalty kick at the 60-minute mark. With 10 minutes to play, a long throw-in by senior midfielder Johana Abarca found Pillsbury, who scored on a header.

The Breakers were without junior central defender Amy Hewlett late in the second half after Hewlett left the game due to injury.

“We will rebound, however, and we are confident we can climb into CIF [playoff] position,” Rolfing said.

The Breakers took on Godinez in a league match Thursday. The score wasn’t available at press time.

Next week in league action, the Breakers play host to Costa Mesa at 5 p.m. Tuesday, and travel for a 5 p.m. game Thursday at Estancia.

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Boys’ Soccer

The Breakers went to Centennial Park in Santa Ana Wednesday and earned a 3-1 victory over host Calvary Chapel in an Orange Coast League game.

Senior Chris Tellez scored twice and sophomore Charlie Warner once as Laguna improved to 2-1 in league and squared its overall record at 5-5-3.

The score was tied at halftime.

“The most important thing about today’s game was to get the victory,” Laguna Coach Dan Richards said. “Despite the win, however, the overall performance was extremely disappointing and not good enough for a team wanting to earn qualification to the playoffs.

“We started [out] very pedestrian and handed them a goal right at the beginning of the game. Even though we had the majority of possession and created more chances than Calvary, we never truly found a rhythm or played to our full potential.

“The finishes for our three goals were good and well taken but we will need to be much better moving forward if the team is to meet its overall goals.”

In a previous league outing Jan. 17, Laguna suffered a 1-0 loss to visiting Estancia (tie-No. 10, CIF Southern Section Division 5) which scored the winning goal in the second half.

“I was extremely proud of the lads,” Richards said. “They worked hard throughout the game and did an excellent job restricting space and shutting down Estancia.

“Obviously, it was a heartbreaker, them scoring in injury time after we had shut them out for the full 80 minutes. Their strike for the goal couldn’t have been any better and wouldn’t have been stopped by anyone.”

The Breakers are back in league action at 3:15 p.m. Friday when they go back to Centennial Park to face Godinez, the top-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division 5. The Breakers host Costa Mesa at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.