King Leads No. 1 Cougars Past No. 2 Monarchs

The Monarch girls’ soccer team rode through the valley of an opposing King on Thursday but failed to challenge the sovereign of the land.

Chandra King scored three goals to ensure Capistrano Valley’s place at the top of the county rankings as well as the South Coast League race as the Cougars defeated second-ranked Mater Dei, 5-1, at Capistrano Valley.

The Cougars, 13-2-3 and 3-0-1 in league, took a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick by Renee Peterson in the 21st minute after Mater Dei’s Tracy Winzen was called for a foul on Janelle Hillseth in the penalty area.

Kim Abbamonto scored 12 minutes into the second half to make the score 2-0 after Peterson sent a corner kick in front of the goal and Abbamonto volleyed it into the net.

King scored the first of her goals three minutes later after Lindsey Greco took a free kick at midfield and sent a through ball for King, who beat the last defender and scored with her left foot.

With the Cougars ahead 3-0, Katie Thomas was awarded a red card after dragging down Greco from behind on a breakaway in the penalty area.

Playing short-handed, Mater Dei’s Katie Ticehurst still managed to score on a shot from about 25 yards in the 67th minute to make it 3-1, but it was too late.

King scored her last two goals against reserve Monarch goalkeeper Anna Story in the 72nd and 74th minute to put the game further out of reach.

“[King] is a tremendous athlete, has a great heart and loves the game,” Capistrano Valley Coach Hamid Sedehi said.

Although Capistrano Valley controlled much of the tempo and style of play, three-time defending league champion Mater Dei (12-3, 3-1) also had several chances, taking eight shots against Cougar goalkeeper Shawna Draper.

“I think [Capistrano Valley] really made the best of their chances,” Mater Dei Coach Austin Sharp said.

The lopsided result was hardly what was expected for the much-anticipated game between the county’s top two teams, but it does follow history: Last year, Capistrano Valley defeated Mater Dei, 4-1, on the same field. However, that was after the Monarchs had defeated the Cougars, 5-1, on Mater Dei’s field.

In another South Coast League game:

Dana Hills 2, San Clemente 0--Alex Richey and Michelle Barker each scored in the first half to lead Dana Hills (9-4-2, 1-1-2).