PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE GIRLS’ SOCCER : Co-Leaders Can’t Break Their Tie

After winning only five games in the past two seasons, Estancia girls’ soccer Coach Frank Renn turned his team into a Pacific Coast League title contender this season.

Tuesday at Trabuco Hills High School, the Eagles (14-2-4, 7-0-2 in league) had a chance to clinch a tie for the league championship, but Trabuco Hills (14-3-4, 7-0-2) stopped a header in the closing seconds to preserve a 0-0 tie.

Both teams have one league game remaining; Estancia will play host to Costa Mesa and Trabuco Hills will visit Century, both Thursday. Because Estancia and Trabuco Hills tied, 1-1, in their first meeting, they will be co-champions if both win Thursday.

Estancia’s best chance to win Tuesday’s game came with 15 seconds remaining when Amy Watson took a corner kick and set up Lauren Weaver for a header from 10 yards out.

Although the kick was out of the goalie’s reach, Trabuco Hills halfback Shannon Roberson jumped and headed the ball away from the goal as the official signaled the end of the game.

“We got hammered game after game last year,” Renn said. “But when the girls realized they could win this game today they really picked it up.

“We’re not used to winning the big games because we weren’t even competitive in any big games a year ago.”