SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS’ SOCCER PLAYOFFS : Capistrano Valley Overpowers Santa Margarita in First Round

With half its front line sidelined after first-half injuries, Santa Margarita was easy prey for Capistrano Valley, which scored two second-half goals and defeated the Eagles, 2-0, in a Division I first-round girls’ soccer game Saturday at Santa Margarita.

Capistrano Valley (20-4-3) will face Claremont, which knocked it out of the playoffs last year in the first round, in the quarterfinals Thursday.

The game began as an evenly matched showdown between the Cougars, ranked fifth in the county, and Santa Margarita (16-6-1), ranked seventh and coming off its second consecutive Sea View League championship.

But when freshman left winger Erin McIntyre left the game because of a possible concussion and leading scorer Erica Di Vitis went to the sideline because of a knee injury, the Eagles were without most of their offensive punch.

“When Di Vitis went down, that really hurt them,” Cougar Coach Harry Hutcheson said.

Capistrano Valley took a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second half, when Kim Thompson drove a corner kick into the net.

The Cougars scored again 10 minutes later on a breakaway goal by freshman Renee Peterson, who was brought up from the junior varsity for the playoffs.

The defense tightened its grip on the Eagles the rest of the half behind senior Lindsay Light and freshman goalkeeper Sheila Teran, who made two one-handed saves late in the game.

In other Division I games:

Claremont 3, Irvine 3 (Claremont advances in penalty kicks, 1-0)--Shannon Filbin, Heather Swanson and Sarah Denson each scored one goal and Missy Brigman recorded eight saves for Irvine (13-6-4). Claremont, the second-seeded team in the division, will face Capistrano Valley in the second round Thursday.

Edison 3, Torrance 0--Christine Tyler, Nicole Price and Laura Lamb each scored one goal to lead the host Chargers (22-4-3), who will play Mater Dei in the quarterfinals.

Mater Dei 3, Chino Don Lugo 0--Trisha Steiner scored the first goal for the Monarchs 17 minutes into the second half off a double assist from Chrissy Whalen and Apollonia Reyes. Whalen and Teresa Buechler also scored for Mater Dei (18-5-1).

Marina 2, Dana Hills 1--Amy Rubenstein scored with two minutes remaining in the game to give top-seeded Marina the first-round victory. Kristen Palmer also scored for the Vikings, which will meet the winner of Simi Valley-South Torrance at 3 p.m. Thursday. Shelly Storm scored and Sumon Nicole had 17 saves for Dana Hills (14-7-3).

In Division II:

Canyon 2, Trabuco Hills 0--Krista Boughton scored the first goal off an assist from Genelle Geronsin eight minutes into the second half for Canyon (15-5-3). Geronsin added a goal five minutes later. The Comanches will play Los Alamitos Tuesday. Trabuco Hills finishes 13-7-4.

El Modena 2, Estancia 0--Nicole Terry had a goal and an assist and Kaylee Whitfield scored a goal for second-seeded El Modena (19-5). The Vanguards will play Rancho Cucamonga at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Beth Ferryman recorded 13 saves for Estancia, which ends the season at 11-7-6.

Esperanza 2, Villa Park 1 (OT)--Tina Brescini scored two times in the first 10-minute overtime period and Esperanza (15-5-4) held off a late rally by the Spartans (13-3-6). The Aztecs face Redlands in the quarterfinals Tuesday.

Kennedy 1, Laguna Hills 0--Jamie Pietranowicz scored 18 minutes into second half off an assist from Heather Darin. Kennedy (17-4-1) will play the winner of Long Beach Poly next Thursday. Laguna Hills is 15-6-5.

La Habra 2, Lakewood 1--Amber Duarte scored both goals in La Habra’s first round victory. Duarte’s first goal came off a penalty kick 29 minutes into the first half after she was tripped on a breakaway. Her second goal was a 25-yard shot 19 minutes into second half. La Habra (16-5-1) will play Ventura Buena in the quarterfinals. Lakewood finishes at 15-6.

In Division III:

Moreno Valley Valley View 3, Brea-Olinda 1--Michelle Rice scored two goals and Larissa Gomez one for Moreno Valley Valley View (18-5-1). Erin Wright scored once for Brea-Olinda (11-7-3).