Season’s first lost comes in league play

For the first time this season, the Laguna Beach boys’ soccer team has gone down in defeat.

It happened Wednesday night at Guyer Field when the Breakers fell behind by three goals at the half to Godinez and went on to suffer a 4-1 loss to the visiting Grizzlies.

The setback put Laguna at 4-1-2 overall and 2-1 in Orange Coast League play.

The Breakers had been impressive in their first two league games, beating Estancia (1-0) on the road Jan. 12 and then defeated Calvary Chapel (3-2) at home last Friday.

On Wednesday, playing without starters Sam Stinnett, Christian Alberran and goalie Alec Williams, they dug themselves in an early hole and couldn’t recover.

“Godinez is a well-coached team that certainly came to play,” Laguna assistant coach Ben Helm said. “From the start they were on the attack creating dangerous opportunities.”

Helm said that Laguna, which had been quick all season, was “very slow and disorganized.” The Breakers were behind, 3-0, at the half, the “worst 40-minute stretch this season,” Helm said.

The Breakers, however, made necessary adjustments at the break and came out in the second half to score early. A nice exchange between junior Joe Rousseau and senior Travis Sampson resulted in a goal by Sampson that narrowed the Godinez lead to 3-1.

“I credit the kids for coming out in the second half and scoring that early goal,” Helm said. “Unfortunately, we gave up another goal that put the game away.”

Laguna will attempt to get back on the winning track at 4:45 p.m. today when it takes on Costa Mesa. at Estancia High. The Breakers conclude the first round of league play Wednesday with a 6:15 p.m. home game against Saddleback at Guyer Field.

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Girls’ Soccer

Laguna picked up a point in Orange Coast League play Tuesday by battling visiting Godinez to a 1-1 draw at Guyer Field.

The scoring started on a wing attack by the Breakers junior April Carlson, who battled to the corner where she drove a cross to the far post of the Godinez goal. Freshman Johana Abarca, streaking downfield, finished off the cross on her fist touch and slammed in the score from 10 yards out.

Godinez rallied to get the equalizing score in the second half.

Laguna began league play Jan. 11 with a 2-0 loss at Estancia, giving up two late goals in falling to the Eagles for the first time in three years. On Jan. 13, the Breakers gave defending undefeated league champion Calvary Chapel all it could handle before succumbing, 1-0, the difference coming on a penalty kick.

Laguna has two home league games on tap next week. The Breakers host Saddleback on Tuesday and Estancia on Thursday. Both games begin at 6:15 p.m. at Guyer Field.