DIVISION I GIRLS’ SOCCER : Shift Hurts Capistrano Valley

Capistrano Valley got soft. Palos Verdes Peninsula got psyched.

The Southern Section Division I girls’ soccer teams changed during the second half of their semifinal game Tuesday at Capistrano Valley High.

The personality shift worked in Peninsula’s favor and the Panthers won, 2-1, to advance to Friday’s final against top-seeded Marina.

“I thought we’d beat them; it hasn’t hit me,” said senior forward Kim McKay, who scored to give the a 1-0 lead in the first half. “We took that halftime lead and I think we thought we weren’t going to lose.”

On an assist by halfback Lindsay Light, McKay found the open net 23 minutes into the game. The Cougars had several other scoring threats before the half but couldn’t connect.

Peninsula got the momentum it needed 16 minutes into the second half, when Capistrano Valley (21-5-3) was slapped with a dangerous-play foul and the Panthers (26-1-3) were awarded a free kick. Sasha Danna kicked from the left side and inside the midfield mark. Teammate Traci Arkenberg headed it in for a 1-1 tie.

“They scored their first goal on a call that was controversial at best,” Cougar Coach Harry Hutcheson said.

Said McKay: “Everyone was stunned. If we would have gone into overtime, we would have won. We would have wanted it more.”

The Cougars never got the chance. They never recovered from the shock.

With five minutes left, Arkenberg beat fullback Erin Conners to the ball. As goalie Sheila Teran came out of the box to defend, Arkenberg jumped over Teran and scored the winning goal on the run.

They were her 54th and 55th goals of the season. Capistrano Valley knew about the UCLA-bound senior, but couldn’t defend against her for both halves.

“Arkenberg was the player we need to keep off the ball, and she scored both their goals,” Hutcheson said.