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Semis would be historic for Laguna

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)
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It’s been a great season for girls’ athletics at Laguna Beach High.

The Breakers girls’ water polo team goes for its third CIF Southern Section Division 1 title in four years on Saturday night at 5:30, when Laguna plays San Marcos at Irvine’s Woollett Aquatics Center.

But don’t overlook the Laguna girls’ soccer team.

The Breakers, enjoying their best season in program history, are the No. 2 seeds in Division 4. They play against Bloomington at home Friday at 5 p.m. in a Division 4 quarterfinal match.

The other two girls’ soccer programs to make the quarterfinals are also at home Friday. Huntington Beach (20-7-5) plays host to Chino Hills in a Division 1 quarterfinal match at 5 p.m. And top-seeded Corona del Mar (22-0-3) plays La Mirada in a Division 2 quarterfinal match at home at 3 p.m.

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Laguna Beach, led by 13th-year coach Bill Rolfing, has not advanced past the quarterfinals in program history. It would be yet another first for the Breakers (20-3-2), who already have their first 20-win season in program history. Laguna also was a perfect 10-0 in Orange Coast League play, another program first as it claimed its third league title.

The Breakers head into the quarterfinals on a 12-game winning streak.

“[Making the CIF semifinals] would be a huge step for the program,” said Rolfing, who did coach the Laguna boys’ soccer team to the Division 2-A semifinals in 1980. “All season long, we’ve been taking it one game at a time and concentrating on playing our game ... The prospect of getting to the semis would be super-exciting for us. If we can get through [Friday] night, we will have accomplished a lot to set that new standard for us. It’s a monumental year already for us, but certainly a win [Friday] would take it to the next step and be something to be proud of.”

Sophomore forward Blake Turner and her freshman sister, Reilyn, have been dynamic players for Laguna Beach. They’ve combined for seven of the Breakers’ eight playoff goals so far, in a 4-1 victory over Fullerton in the first round and a 3-0 win against California in the second round.

But don’t overlook the Breakers’ defense. The only goal conceded so far in the playoffs by Laguna Beach was a fluke own goal against Fullerton.

Freshman keeper Cameron Russo anchors the defense that also includes center backs Emily Addis, a senior, and sophomore Kerin Onadera. Senior Brynn Anderson and sophomore Brittain Sammons are also on the back line.

“They did a good job Tuesday night shutting down California High, in particular their main go-to girl, [Brianna Saldana],” Rolfing said.

Bloomington will present a new challenge to the Breakers. Rolfing knows that the Bruins will be hungry to get back to the finals after having to forfeit their Division 6 title last year, due to use of an ineligible player.

CdM, Middleton also looking for breakthrough

Like Rolfing, CdM Coach Bryan Middleton has been doing this a while. He also aims for the first semifinal appearance in his 15-year tenure when the Sea Kings play La Mirada on Friday at home.

CdM has advanced to the CIF quarterfinals seven times under Middleton, losing every time, including last season. But the undefeated Pacific Coast League champion Sea Kings have higher expectations this year, especially as the top seed in Division 2.

The Sea Kings also have a stingy defense, led by senior keeper Ally Lozano and players like sophomore center back Alyssa McKenzie, Katharine Caston, Emma Scott, Julie Bartz, Alex Ianni and Emily Mickelsen. CdM has a streak going of six straight shutouts.

CdM has advanced to the semifinals three times, in Division 4 from 2000-02. Middleton was hired the following June.

matthew.szabo@latimes.com

Twitter: @mjszabo

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