Only Score Is Close in Buena Defeat, 1-0

Two teams separated by a goal have never been so far apart.

Santa Margarita High defeated Buena, 1-0, Tuesday in a Southern Section Division II semifinal at Buena, but the score was no indication of the disparity in play.

The top-seeded Eagles (18-1-3) scored nine minutes before halftime and controlled virtually the entire match, with the Bulldogs (23-3-4) rallying briefly at the start and finish of the second half.

Santa Margarita outshot Buena, 10-0, in the first half and, 20-3, in the match. From start to finish, the Eagles ran around, passed by or stormed over their opponents.

“They were aggressive on the ball and we didn’t come out strong today,” Bulldog defender Angelina Sanderson said. “They took advantage and it was tough for us to come back.”

Santa Margarita, the five-time defending Seaview League champion, dropped from Division I this season after realignment. Eagle Coach Chuck Morales said five of his players have signed to play Division I college soccer.

Megan Munday, Buena’s standout center midfielder, missed the match after being ejected in the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal victory. It all added up to a lopsided contest.

The goal came off a set play: a free kick from 50 yards by midfielder Casey Hamel. The freshman knocked the ball about 40 yards in the air, where it was held up in a stiff wind before being headed into the net from 10 yards by an unguarded Maresa Zanetti.

The play was Santa Margarita’s third scoring chance. Morales thought the Eagles’ quick start, physical play and tight defense were decisive factors.

“We set the tone early,” Morales said. “This is a contact sport and if you allow a player time and space to feel comfortable, you allow them options. We try to limit their options.”

Without Munday, who has signed to play at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Buena was sunk. Center midfielder Barbara Almaraz played valiantly but received little support from either the Bulldog defenders or forwards.

“My midfield wasn’t involved at all today and Megan being out was a big factor,” Buena Coach Trisha Kimble-Butterbaugh said. “She’s a big defensive factor and a physical leader.”

Normally a slick-passing team that uses the entire field, Buena was reduced to clearing the ball upfield indiscriminately.

“Our fullbacks would clear it away to their fullbacks,” Kimble-Butterbaugh said. “And we couldn’t stop them from sending it right up to their forwards.”

Santa Margarita forwards Kristen Rowe and Sara Henderson confounded the Bulldog defense.

Several times Rowe knocked over opponents on runs to the goal and Henderson was adept at beating defenders one-on-one.

“They were the strength of that team,” Kimble-Butterbaugh said. “I call players like that ‘shredders.’ They’re players that can weave in and out.”

Buena’s semifinal defeat was its third in the past four seasons. Bulldog goalkeeper Katie Maxwell made 10 saves. Santa Margarita advances to face Mira Costa, a 2-0 winner over Norco.