Cochrun, Diablos Manage Tie

Hannah Cochrun was the only thing keeping the top-ranked Capistrano Valley girls’ soccer team from a second consecutive victory over Mission Viejo. But Cochrun, the Diablos’ senior goalkeeper, was up to the task--making two spectacular saves in the final minutes to preserve second-ranked Mission Viejo’s 2-2 tie Tuesday with visiting Capistrano Valley in the South Coast League opener.

“We like ties,” Cochrun said. “Ties are good.”

Susie Maher, Cochrun’s coach, didn’t disagree.

“We’re very happy with the tie,” Maher said. “I feel that now we’re able to say that Capo and us are pretty even now. Both of us are going to fight it out for the league title.”

And maybe the Southern Section Division I title as well. The teams met in last year’s final, which Mission Viejo won, 1-0. Last week, Capistrano Valley (9-0-3) defeated Mission Viejo, 2-1, in the Excalibur Tournament. The Diablos are 10-4-2.

But in that game, Cochrun was more forgiving. Tuesday, she made a last-second left-handed save of Chandra King’s blast from 15 yards with nine minutes left in the game. Seven minutes later, Cochrun came out from goal to knock away King’s shot that was crossed to her by Lindsay Greco.

In the first 70 minutes, Cochrun was credited with only two saves.

“It’s been like that lately,” Cochrun said. “I think my teammates have been getting tired at the end. I kind of have to expect a lot of shots late.”

Said Maher: “Cochrun was big-time today. She has verbally committed to Long Beach State and she showed what it takes to be a Division I keeper.”

Sophomores scored both of Mission Viejo’s goals--Lindsay Huie in the 26th minute and Kendal Billingsley in the 48th minute on a free kick from 20 yards. Between those goals, King scored for Capistrano Valley off a rebound of her miss and Greco scored from 10 yards.