Tie Gives Diablos, Griffins Mixed Feelings

The score was 1-1 as the final whistle blew, but it was clear which team took the tie as victory and which felt defeated in the Southern Section Division I girls’ soccer final Friday at Cerritos Gahr High.

Youthful Mission Viejo players celebrated and immediately posed for pictures with the championship plaque while tears streamed down the faces of Los Alamitos players.

The Diablos (18-6-3), who have seven sophomores and a freshman in their starting lineup, were making their first appearance in the playoffs since 1992.

“We’re [happy] that we’re here so we’re not going to complain,” said Mission Viejo forward Amber Skallerud, a sophomore.

The veteran Griffins (14-4-5), however, had their sights set on the title all season after returning seven starters from last year, when they advanced to the Southern Section quarterfinals.

“I feel like we worked so hard and I don’t feel like we played up to our capability [in the final],” said Carrie Shinen, a senior who scored for Los Alamitos in the 60th minute to tie the score.

Although the Griffins displayed brilliant play at times--moving fluidly up the field several times on a series of well-executed passes by Sommer Hammoud--they could not sustain any pressure. What’s more, Mission Viejo consistently beat Los Alamitos to the ball.

“I think that we realized we could have played better. We fought very hard but for whatever reason . . . we couldn’t find any rhythm,” Los Alamitos Coach Rich Manning said. “Mission Viejo has to get a lot of credit for that.”

The Diablos scored in the 57th minute after Los Alamitos goalkeeper Jenny Willemse came out of the goal to secure the ball in a scramble. Instead of picking it up, she tried to kick it down field and the ball ricocheted off the leg of Mission Viejo sophomore midfielder Kate Desmond.

The ball sailed high over the head of Willemse and landed in the goal.

“It wasn’t the prettiest, but you have to look at the effort,” said Mission Viejo Coach George Larsen. “[Desmond] came from 25 yards away just to get there. When you make an effort like that, good things are going to happen. That’s how we’ve been all through the playoffs.”

Los Alamitos tied it three minutes later after Andrea Sievers made an inspired run down the right wing with the ball, dribbled around two defenders and crossed it hard in front of the goal. Shinen placed herself perfectly at the far post, where she volleyed it in.

“That was a great goal. That’s what you see in the World Cup,” Manning said.

The tie gave Mission Viejo its fourth Southern Section championship and Los Alamitos its first.

For Mission Viejo, the championship--accomplished with such a young squad--might signal the revitalization of a once-great power. It was Mission Viejo’s first appearance in a final since 1988, when current U.S. national team player Julie Foudy helped the Diablos win the last of three consecutive section titles.

“I had no idea what to expect from this team coming into the playoffs,” Larsen said.

The Diablos, who placed third this season in the South Coast League, surprised many with an upset over top-seeded Claremont in the first round on penalty kicks, 4-3.

For Los Alamitos, which won the Sunset League this season, five senior starters played their last game. But the Griffins are hoping to get another shot at a solo title next year.

Said Manning: “We’ll be back.”