Mission Viejo Wins on Shutout

Sophomore midfielder Korie Nicholson blasted a high and hard scoring shot in the 12th minute Thursday to give second-seeded Mission Viejo a 1-0 victory over West Hills Chaminade in a Southern Section Division I girls’ soccer quarterfinal game at Chaminade.

Nicholson booted her 15-yard shot past goalkeeper Loretta Younkin after getting a short pass from Erin Bohn.

The semifinals on Tuesday will feature four teams from the South Coast League. Mission Viejo (15-3-7) will face Lake Forest El Toro (9-10-3), which defeated defending Division III champion Santa Margarita, 4-0. San Clemente, a 2-1 winner over Santa Ana Mater Dei in overtime, will meet Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley, a 1-0 winner over Long Beach Wilson.

Goalkeeper Katie Wright (five saves) made Nicholson’s goal stand up with help from stopper Kelly Raby and the rest of the defense.

Raby kicked away a dangerous ball sent up from beyond midfield by the Eagles’ Lauren Treinen with three minutes to play.

It appeared unseeded Chaminade (17-6-3) had earned a regulation penalty kick when Alex Fries was taken down during a collision with Mission Viejo defender Bethany Haynes in the final minute, but officials awarded Chaminade a corner kick instead.

“It’s unfortunate we didn’t get the call,” Chaminade Coach Mike Evans said.

The shutout was Mission Viejo’s third in three playoff games and 13th of the season.

Lauren Peterson

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Granada Hills 2, Palisades 0 -- Jackie Keckses scored in the fifth minute and Katie Deever scored on a breakaway in the 48th minute in a City Section Championship Division quarterfinal at Granada Hills.

Second-seeded Granada Hills (18-5-1) outshot Palisades, 19-8, and goalie Ashlee Allen made seven saves for her 10th shutout in 12 games.

Granada Hills has allowed eight goals all season. Palisades finished 14-8-1.

-- Steve Galluzzo