SANTA ANA – One powerful swing of the left leg from Kiana Palacios was all the Mission Viejo girls soccer team needed to move into the final four of the Mater Dei Premier Invitational.
Palacios tallied the lone goal of the match just before halftime as the Diablos knocked off Cathedral Catholic of San Diego, 1-0, in a pool-play match Friday at Mater Dei.
“We want to win this tournament and need to keep playing hard and aggressive,” Palacios said.
The Diablos (4-0-1) finished first in their pool with the win and advanced to today’s semifinals. They take on defending tournament champion Harvard-Westlake of Studio City.
“We are coming into our own game by game and I’m happy with our progress,” Diablos coach Susie Daher said.
The Diablos defense did a good job of weathering Cathedral Catholic’s early attacking pressure behind strong efforts from Maddie Dano, Delaney Lindahl, Hannah Morris, and Alexa Cabrales.
Mission Viejo goalie Janet Reyes came up with a big save in the 15th minute, diving to her right to stop a shot off the foot of Tamara Gomez.
Palacios put the Diablos ahead seconds before the end of the first half.
After taking a pass from teammate Jessica Simonian, she got through the Dons defense and left-footed a high-arching shot that skimmed the crossbar and bounced into the goal.
“I was really focused on nailing that shot because I knew that we needed to win this game to advance,” Palacios said.
Daher has been impressed with Palacios’ ability to initiate the offense in the early portion of the season.
“The offense has been moving through Kiana and she is playing really well,” Daher said. “She has vision, quick touch, and finishing skills.
Reyes also came up with three big saves in the half, including one on the final sequence of the match to preserve the win.
Also in the Mater Dei Premier Invitational:
No. 5 Villa Park 1, Mater Dei 1: The Spartans (5-1-2) advanced to the semifinals by playing to a tie against the host Monarchs (3-2-3) in a pool-play match. Bethany Sutherland scored a first-half goal for Villa Park and Cassie Soto scored the tying goal in the second half.
Villa Park will face Santiago of Corona in today’s other semifinal.
Foothill 1, Los Alamitos1: Allie Emmons scored the tying goal on a free kick in the second half as the Knights (1-1-5) and Griffins (2-3-3) played to a tie. Kristen Reeves scored a second-half goal for Foothill.
Corona del Mar 1, No. 1 Aliso Niguel 0: Sabrina Roy scored the winning goal in the second half to lead the Sea Kings (2-2-2) past the Wolverines (6-3).
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com