University Ends Laguna Hills’ Soccer Unbeaten Streak at 28

University ended Laguna Hills’ 28-game unbeaten streak in the Pacific Coast League girls’ soccer with a 4-2 victory over the Hawks Tuesday at University High.

It wasn’t a big surprise to Laguna Hills Coach Kevin Macare, whose team was without three key starters because of illness and injury.

“They are a much better team than us,” Macare said of the 10th-ranked Trojans.

University (6-4-2, 2-0) was the last Pacific Coast League team to beat Laguna Hills--a 1-0 victory in 1995. Laguna Hills (7-4-2, 1-1) dominated the league after that, winning titles in 1996 and 1997. But after graduating three of its top goal scorers last year, Laguna Hills is rebuilding; University is looking to take the title.

Tuesday, the Trojans stunned Laguna Hills early, scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the game.

University fullback Elise Law grabbed a loose ball about 30 yards from the goal and sailed a perfect shot into the opposite corner from Laguna Hills goalkeeper Deanna Moore. Four minutes later, halfback Brooke Ferguson got the ball on the run in front of the goal and drilled a shot that again went in the opposite direction of Ferguson, squeezing into the corner of the goal.

Laguna Hills made a game of it with four minutes left in the first half when midfielder April Peron slammed a shot past goalkeeper Nicole Williams, ending the half down, 2-1.

“Once we settled the ball and used our skills, we were better,” Macare said. “But when it became a kick-and-run game we were in trouble, because their girls are faster and get to the long ball quicker.”

But the second half again belonged to the Trojans, who controlled the ball much of the half. Forward Amy Buchen, who gave Laguna Hills freshman defender Brittney Scott all she could handle, put the Trojans ahead, 3-1, 15 minutes in when she sliced a 20-yard shot from the left corner into the net. Fullback teammate Darcy MacDonald sealed the victory 15 minutes later with a score from the side of the net out of Moore’s reach.