Eagles Cruise Past Bonita for Another Title

For its sake, as well as its opponents’, the Santa Margarita boys’ soccer team appears ready for a change.

The top-seeded Eagles won their fourth consecutive Southern Section Division III title in one-sided fashion, defeating La Verne Bonita, 4-0, Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.

Santa Margarita (24-1-3) scored three goals in a 10-minute span of the first half and survived an array of cheap hits from Bonita in the second.

“I think Bonita was strong enough, but we just came out and were fortunate enough to score goals early,” said senior Spencer George, a member of all four championship teams. “And when you go ahead 3-0 within 20 minutes, the game just deteriorates after that.”

Santa Margarita becomes the first school to win four consecutive section titles in soccer. The Eagles outscored their opponents, 14-1, in those four finals, and 11-1 in their current playoff run.

“They’re peaking at the right time,” said Santa Margarita Coach Curt Bauer. “We work so darn hard and these kids are so fit. And you know what? Winning becomes contagious. They don’t want to be the first team to not win a title.”

Bauer, who coached Mater Dei to a Division 4-A co-championship in 1987 and Santa Margarita to a Division IV co-championship in 1993, said before the game he was ready to move his team up to Division I next season.

“I don’t think Division III was that strong this year and that’s why were going to move up, just so people will leave us alone,” Bauer said. “I’ll talk to my athletic director and we’ll see about moving up. I’m losing a ton of guys, so this would have been the year to do it.”

Santa Margarita took advantage of the sloppy conditions to take a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute.

Ryan Curtis dribbled down the right side and centered a pass to Sebastian Galmarini near the penalty area. Galmarini was closely marked by Dan Linder, but Linder fell down while changing directions and Galmarini was left alone to score his team-leading 21st goal of the season.

Four minutes later, a Bonita defender made a poor pass into the middle and Curtis took possession just inside the penalty area. His shot was saved by goalkeeper David Rodriguez, who then knocked down George’s rebound shot. Luke Boughen was in position for the second rebound and fired it past the sprawled-out goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead.

Bonita was down to 13 players because two starters were out with injuries, and a third, forward Jeff Meacham (13 goals), received his second yellow card during injury time of Bonita’s 4-3 semifinal victory over South Torrance.

The Bearcats had their best scoring chance later in the first half. Mickey Hernholm dribbled into the middle and then kicked it wide to Peter McGrath, but his cross went untouched. Shortly after, the Eagles went ahead, 3-0, after Boughen was pulled down in the penalty box and George converted the penalty kick.