ALISO VIEJO – It’s the chase that thrills.
With a third straight South Coast League title in its sights, the Aliso Niguel girls soccer team has started playing its best soccer of the season.
Bella Folino and Remy Mathews each scored a goal for the second-ranked Wolverines as they defeated No. 8 San Clemente, 2-0, in a league match Thursday at Aliso Niguel High.
The Wolverines (13-0-4, 4-0-1) strengthened their grip on first place in the South Coast League. Aliso Niguel and San Clemente tied in their league opener, but Thursday’s result gave the Wolverines a three-point lead with three games remaining.
Teams receive two points for a win and one for tie in the South Coast League, meaning that Aliso Niguel will clinch the three-peat with two wins in its final three games.
“I just told the girls that this is the second 80-minute game that they’ve put together (this season),” Coach Randy Dodge said. “We created so many chances. If you’re creating those chances, you’re going to score goals eventually.”
Folino scored in the first minute off a deep throw-in from Allie Griffith. From there, the Wolverines held control of the game.
In the 44th minute, the Tritons’ Lauren Brzykcy made a diving stop on Maddi Desiano. SJ Affleck fought for the rebound, and San Clemente’s Gabi Drabkin was forced to commit a foul in the box.
Mathews took the penalty kick that followed, doubling the Wolverines’ lead by beating Brzykcy to the left post.
Alyssa Noh made six saves for Aliso Niguel, but the Wolverines avoided conceding a dangerous scoring chance.
“We pressure and pressure,” Folino said. “We all defend, and we defend as a team. Good opportunities will come from that.”
Brzykcy made 12 saves for the Tritons (9-3-7, 2-1-2).
In the Sunset League:
No. 7 Edison 4, No. 10 Los Alamitos 3 (OT): Mikayla Edwards scored two goals off corner kicks, including the winner for the Chargers (14-4-1, 4-1-1).
In the Sea View League:
No. 3 Tesoro 1, San Juan Hills 0: Ally Cook scored and Samantha Cude made eight saves for the first-place Titans (15-4-3, 4-1-0).
In the Trinity League:
No. 1 Mater Dei 1, Rosary 0: Hailey Hopkins scored her ninth goal in six games to lead the Monarchs (13-2-3, 4-0-0) past the Royals (7-5-3, 1-4-0).
JSerra 3, No. 4 Santa Margarita 1: Isabella D’Aquila had a goal and an assist for the Lions (11-2-2, 3-1-0).
In the Golden West League:
Ocean View 2, Santa Ana 0: Daniela Gonzalez and Hannah Messina scored for the first-place Seahawks (10-2-5, 5-0-1).
