Coach Returns to See Hawks Win Again

It was one thing for the Laguna Hills girls’ soccer team to defeat Aliso Niguel, 3-2, Thursday to remain in first place in the Pacific Coast League. It was another for Hawk Coach Kevin Macare to be there to witness it.

Macare underwent surgery Jan. 16 to remove his appendix and missed three games while he was recovering. His appearance at Thursday’s game was a surprise for the players.

“I was happy to come out on top today,” he said. “Actually, it was nice to be here today.”

Aliso Niguel played aggressively for the first 10 minutes before Laguna Hills began to take over.

The Hawks, 15-2-3, 5-0-1 in league, broke out of a 1-1 halftime tie and scored in the 47th minute after Regina Harrison took a corner kick and placed the ball in front of the goal box, where Melissa Gilbert assisted Karine Inoue on a goal.

Stacy Roberts scored for Laguna Hills 23 minutes later, making the score 3-1, after receiving a pass from Jennifer Jurgemeyer.

Aliso Niguel (10-5-2, 3-1-2) scored in the 75th minute on a goal by Lauren Franson, but the Hawks shut down the Wolverines after that.

Laguna Hills, which averages 3.5 goals per game, has the ability to control the ball, but sometimes lapses.

“I’m happy with the way we played offensively, but we’re going to have to clean some things up in the back,” Macare said. “If we want to win a CIF title we’re going to have to [play better defense].”

The Hawks, ranked fifth in the county, have a chance to win their first league title since 1988, when they won the last of four consecutive titles. They have finished in second place the last three seasons.

Laguna Hills scored first in the 21st minute after Roberts passed to Elizabeth Jones, who shot around Aliso Niguel goalkeeper Kirsten Roy for a goal. Aliso Niguel tied it three minutes later after Jana Mellotti crossed the ball to Cindy Johnson, who scored.