PREP SOCCER ROUNDUP : Mission Viejo Uses Defense to Win South Coast League

When it comes to the South Coast League boys’ soccer title, Mission Viejo High School is very greedy.

After winning four consecutive league championships dating back to the 1986-87 campaign, Mission Viejo faced the possibility of sharing the title with Capistrano Valley this season if it lost to the Cougars Friday afternoon.

But the Diablos, the fourth-ranked team in the county, didn’t want to share and used their stingy defense to post a 2-0 victory at Capistrano Valley High School and a fifth consecutive league championship.

“We’ve never lost a league title since I’ve been here,” Mission Viejo Coach Cal Foster said. “We’ve been fortunate to keep this winning tradition rolling in the five years I’ve been here.”

Doug Roberson sent Mission Viejo (17-4-2, 9-1 league) on its way with a goal just seconds before the first half ended.

Roberson took his time after he received a pass at the top of the penalty area from teammate Rich Fiore, and Capistrano Valley’s lax defense didn’t pressure him.

So Roberson, with his back to the goal, calmly spun around, lined up his kick and rifled it into the lower left corner of the net.

Mission Viejo’s defense tightened in the second half and did not allow Capistrano Valley (10-6-5, 6-2-2) a clean shot on goalie Phil Darke.

But the game was not out of reach until George Larsen scored midway through the second half on a 25-yard kick.