Funk continues for boys’ soccer squad

The Laguna Beach boys’ soccer team dropped its third straight Orange Coast League game Wednesday when the Breakers fell to visiting Saddleback, 3-0, at Guyer Field.

“The game was very scrappy, with both teams looking a nervous at times,” Laguna Coach Dan Richards said. “We were really the creators of our own downfall, giving a way some very soft goals that we should have dealt with better.

“At the start of the second half, we wanted to try and keep that pressure on the Saddleback back line and again should have done better with the opportunities we made. The longer the game went on, the more we had to take risks and start pushing numbers forward in search of the equalizer. The game then got really stretched with big holes being left in the midfield, which ultimately resulted in Saddleback punishing us with two good goals on the break near the end of the game.”

In another league encounter Jan. 21, a short-handed Laguna squad fell to Costa Mesa, 3-1, at Estancia High, a game Richards said was “a very disappointing game for the boys.”

“We knew it was going to be very difficult with all the players we had out of action in this game, and then picking up another injury in the first 15 minutes [added to our] problems,” he said. “We were punished early for starting slow and didn’t really get going until late in the first half. Once we started to find our feet, we created some better opportunities but couldn’t make them count.

“It has been a tough period for the team over the last week or so, the injuries and illnesses we’ve had couldn’t have come at a worse time. The lads know they have the ability to turn the results around and still make it to the playoffs but must begin converting the opportunities we create and start to show the strong defensive displays we had earlier in the year.”

At 6:15 p.m. tonight, Laguna gets the chance to rebound when it hosts Estancia at Guyer Field. The Breakers opened league play Jan. 12 with a 1-0 win over the Eagles.

On Wednesday, the Breakers play a 3:15 p.m. game at Calvary Chapel.

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Girls’ Soccer

Laguna earned its first Orange Coast League win of the 2011 season Tuesday with a 2-0 shutout of Saddleback. Kelsey Rustigian scored off an assist from April Carlson in the 39th minute and Marina Paul completed the scoring when she scored in the 60th minute on a play set up by Jenny Maddocks. Goalie Ryan Bakkum had four saves.

In a previous league match, Laguna dropped a 3-1 decision to Costa Mesa on Jan. 20 at Estancia High. Melissa Chapman scored for the Breakers and Bakkum had five saves.

The Breakers play a pair of league games next week, beginning with a 3:15 p.m. date with Calvary Chapel at Centennial Park in Santa Ana. Laguna also will play at 3:15 p.m. Thursday at Centennial Park against Godinez.