SOUTH COAST LEAGUE GIRLS’ SOCCER : Mater Dei Knocks Off No. 3 Capistrano Valley

The Mater Dei girls’ soccer team earned some respect when the unranked Monarchs defeated No. 3 Capistrano Valley, 1-0, in a South Coast League game Thursday at Mater Dei.

A goal by Trisha Steiner late in the game put Mater Dei on top of the league standings and might help the Monarchs (13-4-1, 4-0-1) earn a spot among the top 10.

For much of the game, the Cougars (15-3-3, 4-1) employed seven attackers inside the penalty box, leaving only three defenders at midfield.

However, Mater Dei sophomores Julie Peck and Sarah McEachen quickly cleared the ball each time the Cougars threatened.

With four minutes remaining, Chrissy Whalen lofted a pass from the endline toward the corner of the goal, where Steiner was waiting. Steiner trapped the ball and put it in the goal, prompting a cry of foul from Cougar Coach Harry Hutcheson.

“There is no way that girl (Steiner) was on sides,” he said. “This was the worst job of refing I’ve seen.

“This wasn’t a soccer game, it was a football game. I’ve got a bunch of walking wounded on my side.”