THE PREPS : Girls’ Soccer Playoffs : Linhart Leads Capistrano Valley

Becky Linhart scored twice in the final 5 minutes Friday to give Capistrano Valley High School a 2-0 victory over Corona del Mar in a Southern Section 4-A girls’ soccer quarterfinal match at Corona del Mar.

The victory advances Capistrano Valley (20-4-2 overall), the second-seeded team, to a semifinal match Tuesday against No. 3 Royal at a site to be determined.

Linhart’s first goal came with just 5 minutes remaining in the match. Cougar Sarah Stoney drove the ball downfield, passed it to Amy Doherty, who crossed it in scoring range. The scuffle for the ball ended as Linhart charged in and tapped the ball across the goal line.

Trailing, 1-0, Corona del Mar upped its intensity, trying to rally in the final moments. But Capistrano Valley’s defense held on and pushed the ball back within scoring range.

With less than 2 minutes remaining, Linhart took a pass from a throw-in and drop-kicked the ball into the net from 15 yards out.

Prior to Linhart’s first goal, players on both sides were readying themselves for an overtime period. Although both teams mustered charges throughout the match, those opportunities were staved by strong defensive plays.

“I thought Corona del Mar played a great game. They’re a good passing team and they held us in the middle,” Capistrano Valley Coach Steve Bignal said. “But in the end, we had the offensive threats and it paid off. Perseverance pays.”

As did the Cougar bench. Bignal made frequent substitutions throughout the match, as he has all season.

“Our subs were able to come in and keep the pressure on every time,” he said. “They made a big difference for us.”

The last time these teams met this season, it was in the Ocean View tournament in late December. In that match, Capistrano Valley defeated the Sea Kings, 4-2, on penalty kicks. Until Friday, Capistrano Valley had not scored a goal on Corona del Mar in two seasons.

“I give them a lot of credit,” Bignal said. “They’ve really improved a lot since December.”

Suzie Bone, a freshman goalkeeper, made three saves for Capistrano Valley. Kim Kolstad made eight saves for Corona del Mar, which finishes it season 17-6-4.

In a 4-A quarterfinal match:

Esperanza 2, Edison 0--Jennifer Gulden scored twice to lead the Aztecs (24-0-3) at Esperanza. After a scoreless first half, Gulden scored at the 15-minute mark of the second half and again 7 minutes later. Goalie Tymerie Busser made five saves for the Aztecs.

Simi Valley 1, Mission Viejo 0--Stephanie Gaines scored for the Pioneers at Simi Valley. Mission Viejo, the fourth-seeded team, finishes the season with a 20-3-1 record.

In other 3-A action:

Kennedy 2, El Modena 0--The Fighting Irish got a lift from the Darin sisters to defeat the Vanguards at El Modena. Krista Darin scored Kennedy’s first goal off a pass from her younger sister, Stacy, 10 minutes into the first half. Stacy Darin then scored 30 minutes into the half off an assist from Krista. Goalie Rici Tipton made seven saves for Kennedy (13-9-1).

In a 2-A quarterfinal match:

Valencia 4, Rim of the World 1--Unseeded Valencia scored three goals in the second half to upset fourth-seeded Rim of the World at Valencia. Tracy Greer scored on a header off a corner kick from Jackie Lyen 6 minutes into the second half to give Valencia (17-6) a 2-1 lead. Lyen had scored in the first half for Valencia.

Debbie Laporte scored to give Valencia a 3-1 lead 12 minutes into the second half.