Youth Movement Works for Capistrano Valley

Ron Willms wondered whether his Capistrano Valley boys’ soccer team would be too young to contend for a Southern Section title. After Wednesday’s 2-1 nonleague victory over ninth-ranked Laguna Hills, Willms is wondering less and less.

Freshman Garrett Petry gave the fifth-ranked Cougars the road victory in the 78th minute when he booted a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Kris Monte past Laguna Hills goalkeeper Adam Mazzaro. Monte kept his corner kick on the ground and ran it past several Laguna Hills defenders before it reached Perry at point-blank range.

“He got rid of it right away,” Willms said of Petry. “He didn’t hesitate and try to do too much with it, and that was the key.”

Laguna Hills Coach Scott Johnson was surprised the ball found its way to Petry.

“I thought maybe we had three opportunities to clear the ball,” Johnson said. “Once it crossed the near post, I knew we were in trouble.”

Laguna Hills (2-2-1) had a chance to tie it seconds later, but Ryan Johnson’s header off a perfect cross from Nick Ham floated over the crossbar.

Petry and Jordan Harvey are the first freshman tandem to play for Willms in more than 20 years. Willms also starts three sophomores: Monte, midfielder Brent Barnes and goalkeeper Zach Mikelson.

“All the young kids that played, played well,” Willms said. “That’s real encouraging.”

The first half wasn’t very encouraging for anyone who likes scoring. There were only five shots on goal as both teams tried to negotiate a tricky wind.

“The ball wasn’t where it was supposed to be because of the wind and that takes some adjustment time,” Willms said.

Capistrano Valley (3-1-2) scored first in the 56th minute when defender Andre Wendell headed in a throw-in by Jackson Petry, Garrett’s older brother. Laguna Hills tied it 10 minutes later on Martin Rocha’s free kick from 20 yards that beat Mikelson in the upper right corner. Rocha was given a free kick after Laguna Hills halfback Josh Levine was brought down from behind.

Laguna Hills took four shots on goal in the second half, but it was outshot, 9-7, for the game.

“I don’t like the way we’re coming out at the start of games,” Johnson said. “And I’m not real happy with how we’re playing at home. If we’re going to work for a home field advantage in the playoffs, it should be worth something.”