No. 1 Santa Margarita Beats Mater Dei Again

Top-ranked Santa Margarita, giving every indication that it’s on course to win a fourth consecutive Southern Section Division III boys’ soccer title, on Wednesday beat a talented and well-coached Mater Dei team, 3-1, for the second time in three weeks.

The home victory clinched the Serra League title for the Eagles (18-1-3, 5-0). And it could be argued that winning the Serra League will be tougher than capturing the Division III title.

“There are some very good teams in this league, Mater Dei, Servite and [Bellflower] St. John Bosco,” said Santa Margarita midfielder Spencer George, who assisted on two of the three goals. “Winning it means a lot to us.”

Santa Margarita had to come from behind this time. In last month’s 3-1 victory, the Eagles led all the way. On Wednesday, Mater Dei (22-5-1, 3-2) took the lead 20 minutes in when Ruben Rosales intercepted a Santa Margarita clearing pass and crossed it to Eric Rolwing, who easily beat goalkeeper Erick Foss.

“What we lacked in the beginning was intensity,” George said. “At halftime, we started to realize that we had to win this game to win league.”

The Eagles took less than a minute to tie the score. George’s centering pass found Luke Boughen, who blasted a high shot at the near post. Mater Dei keeper Radames Lafaurie deflected the ball, but Jon Nebot was all alone to tap in the rebound.

“Coming from behind is not a position we’re in very often,” Santa Margarita Coach Curt Bauer said. “I was pleased we kept our composure. Scoring early was big. It meant we could relax.”

Bauer relaxed even more in the 74th minute when Sebastian Galmarini headed a high-bouncing ball to himself just past midfield, dribbled in and flicked it over the head of Mater Dei backup keeper Nate Pena, who challenged the shot near the 18-yard mark.

Nebot scored his second goal two minutes later to put the game away.

“It was a carbon copy of the first game,” Mater Dei Coach Martin Stringer said. “Same silly mistakes, same result.”