Artists Get Another Section Title

A scoreless tie wasn’t exactly the way Laguna Beach Coach Andy Thomas envisioned the Southern Section Division IV boys’ soccer championship game. But after watching his team kick the ball around with top-seeded San Luis Obispo for 80 minutes, Thomas was satisfied with the result.

“That was one of the most evenly matched games I’ve seen in the playoffs,” Thomas said. “Neither team had an advantage. Based on that, it was a fair result.”

Thomas didn’t even feel like criticizing the section for not having overtime in championship games.

“I think we could have played till midnight and it would still be the result,” he said. “It wouldn’t have been fair to decide it on penalty kicks.”

The co-championship gives second-seeded Laguna Beach (19-6-3) two consecutive section titles and Thomas his second in two years as the Artists’ coach.

“It feels great,” Thomas said. “I’m on top of the moon.”

Spencer Herbert, Laguna Beach’s leading scorer, had three of his team’s six shots. His best look came in the 11th minute on a header that was batted over the crossbar by San Luis Obispo goalkeeper Joshua Loesche.

“I should have played it in the corner, but I sent it to the middle and he was right there,” Herbert said. “It was unlucky.”

Laguna Beach had a hard time putting two passes together in San Luis Obispo’s end. Thomas blamed Tiger sweeper Parker Beck for much of his team’s offensive struggles.

“That No. 6 [Beck] was excellent,” Thomas said. “They were disciplined and physical. Our game plan was to take it forward over the top of the defense, but they were cutting our passes off in the air.”

Thomas also said a closely called game by the referees added to his team’s frustration.

“There was far too much blowing up for some of the subtle things,” Thomas said. “I think it affected both teams.”

Tiger midfielder Scott Horst agreed: “They called a pretty tight game and that hurt the flow.”

San Luis Obispo got off eight shots on goal, seven of which tested Laguna Beach goalkeeper Mike Labeda, who recorded his ninth shutout.

The Tigers’ best shot came in the 21st minute on a blast by forward Alex Avina.

Labeda made the save by sprawling on his belly and flicking the ball away.

Said Thomas: “I’ll take it. A championship’s a championship.”