San Clemente takes home second title in a row

MISSION VIEJO - For the second consecutive season, San Clemente junior Shelby Chambers-Garcia came up big for her team on the biggest stage.

But instead of sharing the Division I title as they did a year ago, Chambers-Garcia's standout effort helped the Tritons girls soccer team return to the top of Division I by themselves.

The junior scored a goal and added an assist as the Tritons shut down Los Alamitos, 2-0, in the CIF-SS Division I championship game Saturday night at Mission Viejo High.

"This win was amazing," Chambers-Garcia said. "Our team wanted this so bad and we were able to show that on the field."

The Tritons (26-4-1) claimed their second consecutive championship. San Clemente has won at least a share of the Division I title for the fifth time in eight seasons.

"This win is very special not only for me, but for the girls," Tritons coach Stacey Finnerty said.

"Against a tenacious opponent, I think our talent, maturity and good decision-making helped us."

Both teams opened the game aggressively, as the Tritons and Griffins both produced two shots on goal in the first five minutes.

The Griffins continued to push the attack behind the play of sophomore Shanelle Simien, who made several strong early runs into the Tritons' attacking third.

Yet San Clemente hung tough, as the defense of senior Zoe Jeffers was instrumental in surviving the Griffins' early chances.

San Clemente took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute as senior Kelsey Wilson sent a high-arching corner kick into the middle of the box.

Among a bevy of players from both teams, Chambers-Garcia managed to get a foot on the loose ball and send it into the goal.

It was her team-leading third goal of the playoffs.

The Griffins were dealt a big blow nearly midway through the second half, as senior defender Katie Peterson was forced to leave the game after colliding with a Tritons player. Moments later, senior goalie Amanda McDonough was also forced to leave after a big collision.

The Tritons added to the lead in the 59th minute as Chambers-Garcia lobbed a pass down the left sideline to sophomore Frannie Coxe.

Cox beat Griffins sophomore goalie Amanda Sears with a shot to the far corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com