Diablos Edge Wolverines After Raby’s Unlikely Save

Kelly Raby made the defensive play of the game for Mission Viejo, securing a 1-0 victory over top-ranked Aliso Niguel in the second round of the Excalibur girls’ soccer tournament Wednesday at Foothill High.

Midway through the second half, Mission Viejo goalkeeper Katie Wright came out of the net to challenge Aliso Niguel’s Tessa Baker. Wright missed the save and Baker popped the ball over Wright’s head straight at the wide-open goal. But Raby sprinted in from outside the post and cleared the ball just as it reached the goal line.

“Where is Kelly?” Mission Viejo Coach Susie Daher asked after the game. “I have to give her a hug. That was a goal, but her burst of speed was unbelievable. She saved us.”

Mission Viejo junior Natalie Robertson scored the winning goal on a similar play late in the first half. Aliso Niguel goalkeeper Marissa Welliver came out to challenge Robertson, but Welliver got tangled up with a defender, the ball popped loose and Robertson tapped it into goal.

It was the second meeting of two teams that played to a 0-0 tie in the Mater Dei tournament earlier this month. Both coaches were unhappy at having to face such tough competition so early in this tournament, especially since both were missing key players.

The Wolverines (10-1-2) were playing without sophomore forward Stacy Lindstrom, who is recovering from recent knee surgery. Lindstrom was recently selected to the under-19 national pool.

The eighth-ranked Diablos (4-1-3), who were ranked No. 2 before losing 3-1 to Santa Margarita last week, were without senior Lindsey Huie, who is on a family vacation.

Lindstrom’s absence was noticeable, as the Wolverines struggled to put together any serious offensive threats until midway through the second half.

The Diablos controlled the ball for most of the game, and had several opportunities to put it away, with four shots off the crossbar and posts.

“I don’t thinking the rankings have meant anything yet,” Daher said. “I don’t think just because we beat Aliso Niguel that we’re the best team in the county. I don’t even think we’re No. 2. But we are starting to play like it.”