While Remy Mathews’ name might not always show up in the box scores, the Aliso Niguel midfielder has consistently proven she’s primed to become the next great player in the Wolverines’ storied soccer history.
On Tuesday, the sophomore scored two first-half goals, Mission Viejo knocked in an own goal and top-ranked Aliso Niguel bested the visiting Diablos, 3-0, in a South Coast League match at Aliso Niguel High.
“Remy’s been great for us all year,” Wolverines coach Randy Dodge said. “She doesn’t get a lot of accolades because she does so much dirty work. She’s always in the right place, and it was great to see her in the right place to score a goal tonight.”
With its attacking core up front, Aliso (12-1-1, 3-0) pinned Mission Viejo back into its own defensive third for much of the opening half, creating scoring opportunities early and often.
In the sixth minute of play, Wolverines junior Allie Griffith sent a long throw-in from the right flank into Mission Viejo’s 6-yard box. With the Diablos unable to clear the loose ball out of the goal area, Mathews knocked in the match’s first goal.
Griffith’s long throw-ins would cause Mission (6-5-5, 1-2) more problems in the 12th minute. After a running start and yet another arching hurl into the Diablos’ box, Griffith’s throw-in skimmed off of a Mission defender’s head and into the side netting for an own goal.
“That just kind of happened tonight,” Dodge said of the long throw-ins. “We’re dangerous on them, but we don’t normally capitalize on them.”
Mathews wrapped the scoring up in the 27th minute on a penalty kick. When Diablos keeper Janet Reyes collided with Aliso freshman Kylie Schmiedeke in the box on a one-on-one scoring opportunity, the ref called for the penalty kick, and Mathews’ strike made the score 3-0.
“(Remy’s) a big leader for us now,” Dodge added. “She’s obviously the future of our program to take over for Sarah (Roberts) when she graduates.”
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
