Roach’s 3 Goals Do the Trick

Capistrano Valley’s Haleigh Roach isn’t accustomed to being in the spotlight. But after the senior midfielder did all of the Cougars’ scoring in their 3-0 victory over Arcadia in Tuesday’s Southern Section Division I semifinal, that’s exactly where she was--at the bottom of the team’s dog pile.

And yet, Roach still wouldn’t take credit for the victory.

“I had the easy job today,� Roach said. “I was just in the right place. I’m usually not the one taking shots, I’m usually passing.�

While Megan Abbamonto, Lindsay Greco and Kristen Moore accounted for nine of the host Cougars’ 17 shots, Roach took only three and made them all count.

She gave top-seeded Capistrano Valley (24-1) the lead nine minutes into the game when she volleyed in a brilliant cross from Moore.

Midway through the second half, Greco picked up an assist, popping the ball from just outside the box, to Roach, who placed it into the upper corner of the net, past Arcadia goalkeeper Darci Carruthers.

Ten minutes later, Roach duplicated her first goal, volleying in a cross from Coco D’Angelo past a leaping Carruthers.

It was Roach’s first hat trick.

“I didn’t have to do anything,� Roach said. “I just stuck out my foot and the ball went in.�

Carruthers, who will play at Portland next year, recorded 13 saves for the Apaches (23-4-2).

It was the second meeting this season between the teams, with the same result. Capistrano Valley defeated Arcadia, 3-0, in the Mater Dei tournament.

The Cougars, who have had a hard time scoring, despite averaging more than 20 shots a game, are finally putting the ball in the net, outscoring their playoff opponents, 18-2.

Tuesday, they never let Arcadia in the contest. The Apaches didn’t get off a shot until the final five minutes, after Cougar Coach Jack Peterson had pulled all his starters, playing all 22 players.

“We absolutely just played great today,� Peterson said. “We just played very solid soccer.�

The Cougars, the only county team to advance to the finals, are looking for their first section title and will play third-seeded Claremont on Saturday for the championship.

In another Division I semifinal:

Claremont 1, Esperanza 0--Claremont’s Katy Cross scored on a rebound off the post, getting the ball by goalkeeper Kristen Skinner. Esperanza finished 19-7-2.

In Division II:

Manhattan Beach Mira Costa 1, Santa Margarita 0--The Eagles chance at a fourth section title was ended by third-seeded Mira Costa on an own goal. Second-seeded Santa Margarita finished 21-4.

Mira Costa will play Ventura Buena on Saturday.

Ventura Buena 1, Woodbridge 1 (Buena wins, 4-3, in shootout)--Natalie Sanderson scored the decisive goal for visiting Buena. Ashleigh Garmon scored for Buena (31-0) in the 65th minute.

Christene Johnson scored in the 12th minute for Woodbridge (14-4-2).

In Division III:

Lakewood Mayfair 3, Pacifica 0--Unseeded Mayfair upset the top-seeded Mariners (24-2-3) to advance to Saturday’s final against third-seeded La Verne Bonita.

In Division IV:

West Hills Chaminade 2, Corona del Mar 1--Tara Donoghue scored both goals for third-seeded Chaminade (22-4-4), which will play Torrance Bishop Montgomery for the title.

The Sea Kings (17-5-4) scored their only goal on a penalty kick by Paige Janes two minutes into the second half.