PREP ROUNDUP : Halftime Talk Sparks Mater Dei in Soccer

Perhaps it was the pep talk at halftime from the team captain and the coach.

Whatever it was, Mater Dei came out in the second half as a inspired team in its Angelus League boys’ soccer match against Santa Margarita, defeating the Eagles, 2-0, Saturday at Mater Dei High School.

“I thought Santa Margarita dominated the first half,” said Mater Dei Coach Martin Stringer, who said he gave the Monarchs a stern talk at halftime. “I was happy to go into the second half with a 0-0 tie. Then we came out and showed our true colors.”

Senior Chris Campbell, who returned after spraining his right ankle last week, scored both goals for Mater Dei (15-2-2, 4-0 in league). The first came 14 minutes into the second half as Mater Dei, which is ranked seventh in the Orange County coaches’ poll, was attacking the goal of No. 8 Santa Margarita (10-4-3, 3-1).

Campbell made a shot that Santa Margarita’s Scott Carter blocked. But Carter kicked the ball up field, not realizing Campbell was in back of him. Campbell intercepted the ball about 10 yards in front of the goal and kicked it past goalkeeper Matt Reis, who had 11 saves--six in the second half--giving Mater Dei a 1-0 lead.

With 12 minutes remaining, Robert Andrade got the ball to Campbell, who shot and missed. But Campbell scored on the rebound.

“R.J. Kelly (our team captain) pumped us up at halftime,” said Campbell, who has seven goals this season. “The pep talk was most important.”