Santa Margarita Wins Early Battle With Woodbridge

It’s too early in the season for one game to determine which team is better, since both have injuries to key starters, but for now third-ranked Santa Margarita has bragging rights after defeating No. 2 Woodbridge, 2-1, in nonleague girls’ soccer Thursday at Alton Park in Irvine.

The early matchup showcased perhaps the two best teams in Division II. The Eagles moved up to Division II this season after winning three straight Division III titles, and Woodbridge is the defending Division II co-champion.

Santa Margarita stunned the Warriors one minute into the game when Samantha Bartlett got a wide-open look at the goal from 20 yards and zipped the ball crisply into the corner past diving goalkeeper Kacee Jewell.

Woodbridge (2-1) stepped it up after that, moving five players up into the midfield and putting pressure on the Eagle defenders.

However, it was Santa Margarita that struck again, early in the second half. Stacey Rowell got the ball in transition and raced across midfield before sending a perfect pass to Liz Bartlett, who was streaking toward the box. Jewell came out, but Bartlett slammed a shot just as Jewell dived and the ball deflected off the goalkeeper into the net.

Woodbridge finally got the ball past Eagle goalkeeper Lauren Kent midway through the second half, when Sandra Martinez headed in a free kick from Ina Kain.

Woodbridge kept pushing and had several opportunities to tie the score, including an open shot by Veronica Martinez with less than five minutes left, but Kent, who finished with four saves, was there to knock down the chance.