Dana Hills Passes Early Test by Beating Los Alamitos

Last season, the Dana Hills girls’ soccer team was like a car built for speed. This season, it has added a steering wheel and it’s off to the races.

With the new steadying influence of Andrea Warner leading the way, Dana Hills defeated host Los Alamitos, 2-0, Thursday.

Warner, a senior midfielder, was a first-team All-South Coast League selection as a sophomore in the 1994-95 season before sitting out last season with an injury.

“She really runs our team. She makes everything work for us,” Dana Hills Coach Matt Williams said. “Last year. . . we lacked that go-to [player]. [Warner] is someone who can lead us forward. She has a calming influence. Her presence in there has made a big difference.”

Dana Hills (4-0) returned eight starters this season, plus Warner, and is ranked No. 4 in the Orange County Coaches’ Poll. Los Alamitos (6-3), which shared the Southern Section Division I title last season with Mission Viejo, is ranked No. 6.

The game was the biggest test of the season so far for the Dolphins and they played like they knew it.

About 19 minutes into the game, Warner took the ball up the right wing then crossed it to Elicia Petre, who slipped it across the goal and into the net. Los Alamitos goalkeeper Jenny Willemse dove but could not reach it.

“They were a little bit more aggressive, especially in the first 30 minutes and by then we were down and it kind of set the tone,” Griffin Coach Rich Manning said.

Petre also had a hand in the Dolphins’ second goal. She chipped the ball high to Alex Richey, who gathered it about 10 yards in front of the goal and scored in the 65th minute.

Los Alamitos missed the contributions of several All-Sunset League players who are injured, including Sommer Hammoud and Jenny Ferguson. Both are expected to return when league play begins next month.