Esperanza takes final step by beating Santa Margarita

Click here to see a slide show from this contest and some of Tuesday's other playoff games.

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA - Esperanza has successfully blended an opportunistic offense and a dominant defense into a receipe of success that has propelled the Aztecs to within one victory of the school’s first CIF-SS title in girls soccer.

Freshman Nosa Ogiamien scored early the first half and sophomore Rylee Baisden added an insurance goal in the second half as the Aztecs defeated Santa Margarita, 2-0, in a CIF-SS Division 1 semifinal Tuesday afternoon at Santa Margarita.

“Playing at this level is a new experience for me, and it feels good,” said Ogiamien. “Everyone has stepped up so far, and we’re going to have to give it our all in the championship.”

In four playoff matches, Esperanza (23-0-4) has outscored its opponents, 15-0.

The Aztecs will take on two-time defending CIF champion San Clemente for the title. The time and location of that match will be determined by CIF-SS on Wednesday.

“I told the girls that if we could capitalize on the first chance we get, it would help us be successful,” said Aztecs coach John King, who won a semifinal match for the first time in four tries. “It’s been an unbelievable season so far, and we just have to continue to relax and play our game.”

Esperanza took the lead in the fifth minute of the match. After receiving a pass from teammate Katie Gallanes, Ogiamien got off a floating left-footed shot that went just over the fingertips of Eagles goalie Haley Guerrero and across the goal line.

Though the Aztecs were unable to take advantage of other scoring opportunities in the first half, their defense completely shut down the Eagles' attack throughout the remainder of the half, not allowing a shot attempt.

Esperanza increased its lead just before the midway point of the second half. Off a side throw-in from senior Lindsay Tsai, Baisden managed to get off a shot in the box that went past Guerrero and into the goal, making it 2-0.

Santa Margarita (18-4-3) managed to make a few quality runs into the Aztecs' attacking third late in the match, but Tsai and fellow seniors Kennedy Roteman and Melissa Laxamana helped the Aztecs shut the door.

Late in the match, Baisden was issued a red card and ejected from the match when the head referee determined that she made excessive contact with Guerrero as the both players were making a play for a ball in the air.

According to CIF bylaws, Baisden will not be allowed to play in the title match.

“They effectively shut us down in the first half and took us out of our plan,” Eagles coach Chuck Morales said. "They (Esperanza) are the best executing team we played during this stretch and did everything they were supposed to.”

In Division 2:

Beckman 2, Flintridge Sacred Heart 2 (Beckman wins on PKs, 4-3): The Patriots (20-2-1) advanced to the CIF finals for the first time in school history by slipping past the Tologs (19-2-3) in a shootout at Irvine Stadium.

In Division 3:

Santiago of Corona 3, Sunny Hills 1: The host Sharks (28-2-2) broke a 1-1 tie with two goals in the second half to rally past the Lancers (21-3-5) in the semifinal.

In Division 6:

Desert Christian 4, St. Margaret’s 1: The Knights (22-0-1) scored twice in each half to defeat the Tartans (21-6-1) at the Lancaster National Soccer Center.