No.1 Esperanza remains unbeaten, defeats No.7 Los Alamitos

LOS ALAMITOS - The Esperanza girls soccer team has used the simple formula of strong defense, opportunistic offense, and strong goalie play.

With a match on the road Monday against its biggest league rival, the Aztecs applied their formula, and the result was the continuation their undefeated run.

Senior Erica Mazeau scored a first-half goal and senior goalie Lacie Carver recorded 11 saves as the top-ranked Aztecs defeated No. 7 Los Alamitos, 2-0 at Laurel School.

"Coach is always telling us to do our job and that's what I had to do," Carver said. "This is the second straight year we've beat them here, which is a big feat for us."

The first-place Aztecs (14-0-3, 3-0-1) stretched their Sunset League undefeated streak to 10 matches dating back to last season.

"I told our girls to weather their storm on their field and take advantage of our chances," Aztecs coach John King said. “We’re just going out, doing our jobs, and not thinking about playing with any pressure.”

A big break helped the Aztecs grab the lead 10 minutes into the match. After a Griffins foul at midfield, senior Melissa Laxamana sent a booming free kick into the box. Los Alamitos sophomore Lindsey Salcido headed the ball in an attempt to clear it, but the ball ricocheted backward and past junior goalie Ashley Buckner into the net for a 1-0 Esperanza lead.

Los Alamitos nearly tied it moments later, when junior Shanelle Simien sent a hard liner toward the far post. But Carver made a fully-extended dive to stop the shot.

Though the Griffins (11-5-4; 2-2) were on the attack throughout most of the half, they were unable to turn their offensive momentum into goals, as Laxamana and fellow seniors Lindsay Tsai and Katie Gallanes helped Esperanza hold off the attack.

The Aztecs then increased the lead late in the half. Off a corner kick from Laxamana, Mazeau leaped high and headed a shot past Buckner to make it 2-0 going into the intermission.

Los Alamitos continued to press the attack throughout the second half, as senior Kiley Godfrey and sophomore Callie Taylor helped lead a couple of strong runs into the attacking third. However, Laxamana and Carver spearheaded the defensive effort that helped Esperanza close out the victory.

“We still haven’t found our identity,” said Griffins coach Steve Soler. “This is an important week for us and we just have to go back to the drawing board.”