PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE GIRLS’ SOCCER : Laguna Hills Lets Emotions Fly in Upset of Estancia

Coach Kevin Macare knew his Laguna Hills girls’ soccer team had plenty of skill. Now Macare knows the Hawks have some big hearts, too.

That revelation came Tuesday in Costa Mesa when the Hawks came through with their shot at the Pacific Coast League title on the line. With their emotional juices flowing, the Hawks upset Estancia, 2-0, to remain in the league race. Both teams are 6-1 in league with three games left.

“I found out what this team is made of,” said Macare, whose team is 14-7 overall. “These two teams are very evenly matched. I definitely think we won it on emotion today.”

That emotion started building Monday night at a team dinner, where senior forward Kelly Robson, who Macare called the star of Tuesday’s game, made a speech.

“I said this game won’t be won on skill,” Robson said. “I also said this is our season.”

Estancia, which defeated Laguna Hills, 1-0, last month and is ranked 10th in the county at 13-5-3 overall, played well enough to win. But Coach Jenny Tavares said it was obvious the hungrier team won.

“They took advantage of everything we gave them,” Tavares said. “But we’re still hanging in there.”

Laguna Hills got the only goal it needed in the last minute of the first half on a kick from in front of the net by Marnie Gregg. The Hawks got an insurance goal 13 minutes into the second half when Berkeley Edwards scored off a throw in.

Estancia, led by speedy Tracie Manz, had several good scoring opportunities, but Laguna Hills goalkeeper Sarah Lang made seven saves to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard.

The league title should be decided within a week. Estancia plays second-place Trabuco Hills on Thursday and Laguna Hills meets Trabuco Hills on Tuesday.

“We’re not there yet,” said Macare. “But we can do it now.”

In another league game:

Trabuco Hills 2, Laguna Beach 0--Shannon Pickett made five saves in recording her ninth shutout for Trabuco Hills (13-8, 5-2). Laguna Beach fell to 2-9 and 1-6.