University got in a tune-up before league play starts, and the Warriors look to be pumping on all cylinders.
University came out aggressive, pushed up field and converted in the first half en route to a win over Laguna Beach, 3-1, in a nonleague game at University High.
“We told the girls this is treated like a league game,” University coach Nacho Cid said. “This is very similar to a Woodbridge, a Northwood, a Beckman. So we treated it like a league game. We have our team goals and league is an important part of those.”
University (7-3-1) opens Pacific Coast League play against Beckman on Thursday.
The game was also a little bit of retribution for the Trojans, who lost to Laguna Beach (8-3-1) in last month’s Ocean View Tournament.
University got to work right off the kickoff pinning the Breakers in their half of the field with an aggressive press and quick passing plays.
All that work earned the Trojans a dangerous free kick in the 20th minute.
Amanda Kutcher stepped up on the kick straight away from 25 yards out and shot it off the keeper’s hands and into the net for the lead, 1-0.
In the 36th minute, University struck again as Paige Metayer made some moves to create a shot and placed it through the right side for the two-goal advantage.
The Trojans got one more across in the first half when Remy Kauffman battled a ball across the line in stoppage time just before the halftime whistle.
“Our top players are good leaders,” Cid said. “Our younger players are putting in the work and playing their role very, very well. That’s a good equation for a good season.”
Laguna Beach finally got a goal across in the 54th minute as Reilyn Turner weaved into the box and was taken down hard to earn a penalty kick. Turner put it through low on the left side for the Breakers’ lone goal.
Laguna Beach, ranked fifth in the last CIF-SS Division 4 poll, plays its Orange Coast League opener next week.
“I’m confident about our league performance,” said Laguna Beach coach Bill Rolfing, whose team was working with a limited lineup due to holiday-break absences. “I think we’re in good shape, good depth. Now we’ll settle into our starting lineup and stick to it.”
In the Sunset League:
No. 7 Huntington Beach 4, Newport Harbor 3 (OT): Alijah Oliver scored with one minute remaining in the first overtime period to open the Oilers’ back-to-back league title defense with a win. The teams combined for six goals in the first half.
No. 1 Los Alamitos 1, Fountain Valley 0: The Griffins controlled play and got their chances, but couldn’t convert early chances. Leah Kellogg broke the scoreless tie in the second half to get the win for Los Alamitos.
