Fifth-ranked Tesoro made its return to the South Coast League on Tuesday, and three-time reigning league champion No. 4 Aliso Niguel gave the Titans a rude welcome.
Tesoro scored first, but Aliso Niguel’s relentless pressure broke through twice in the second half as the Wolverines won, 2-1, in each team’s league opener at Aliso Niguel High.
Through the game’s first 15 minutes, the front line of Aliso Niguel (10-1-1, 1-0-0) pushed forward and pinned Tesoro (13-3-2, 1-0-0) in its half of the field.
The Titans broke through on a counter attack in the 22nd minute.
Maddi Simmons collected a clear by the Wolverines and sent a long, high ball over the oncoming players. Skylar Smith pulled it down and put it through on the right side for the lead, 1-0.
The Wolverines kept pressing and tied the score in the 52nd minute. The Tesoro goalie knocked away a shot by the Wolverines, but SJ Affleck collected the rebound and put it back up high to tie the score, 1-1.
In the 76th minute, Aliso Niguel came back on the counter, and Olivia Abrecht got a strong through ball on the right side. Abrecht shot low and left from just outside the box, and the ball skimmed through for the eventual winning goal.
Also in the South Coast League:
San Clemente 2, No. 9 Dana Hills 0: The Tritons scored twice in the second half, and Lauren Bryzkcy posted a six-save shutout in the league opener.
In the Sunset League:
Edison 1, No. 10 Huntington Beach 0 (2OT): The Chargers stayed undefeated in league (3-0-0) when Rachelle Elve broke the scoreless tie with just seconds remaining in the second overtime period. It was each team’s second overtime game in three league games.
In the Pacific Coast League:
No. 6 Corona del Mar 2, Beckman 2: Each team scored twice in the first half to open league play with a draw. Corona del Mar (12-0-2) remained undefeated.
In the Trinity League:
No. 3 JSerra 4, Rosary 0: Isabella D’Aquila scored her county-leading 19th and 20th goals in the Lions’ league opener.
