Girls’ Soccer Preview: Breakers feature experience

The Laguna Beach High girls’ soccer team launched its 2015-16 season Tuesday at Guyer Field and riding a strong showing from its defense, the Breakers played visiting Irvine to a 1-1 tie in nonleague action.

The Breakers got off to a slow start but gained control of the match behind their defense. They held a 1-0 halftime lead on the strength of a goal from 10 yards out by freshman forward Blake Turner whose goal was set up by an assist from junior mid-fielder Brynn Anderson.

In addition to the Anderson-to-Turner scoring combination, Laguna Coach Bill Rolfing said the Breakers received “great performances” from center defenders, senior Chiara Noppenberger and sophomore Alden Kramer, senior mid-fielder Alyssa Pellow, and senior goalie Kara Dunne-Dombrink who had seven saves.

Laguna out-shot the Vaqueros, 14-8.

“It was a real challenge for us, with just one full practice under our belt due to club commitments,” Rolfing said. “Should have had the win, but gave up a 30-yard fluke goal with three minutes left.

“The draw was important, however, and now we can start sorting our positional strategy.”

Laguna has six starters back from a squad that last year won 11 games, finished in third place in the Orange Coast League (one goal short of winning a league title), and reached the quarterfinal round of the CIF Southern Section Division 5 playoffs where the Breakers lost to eventual champion Chatsworth Sierra Canyon.

The Breakers, who have won two OCL titles in the last five years, begin the season ranked seventh in Division 5.

“We have quickly built a veteran-based defensive core,” Rolfing said. “The offensive dynamic for the team will be very exciting with several new faces added to the attack. Combining the speed of play of today’s game with midfield control is always a challenge, but the technical ability of the new players will help put that together. The strategy will be to keep the offensive threat at a constant high level and get the ball into the back of the net.”

Laguna begins play Saturday at the 33rd Annual Ocean View Tournament. The Breakers open against Simi Valley Royal at 10:20 a.m., and take on Santa Monica St. Monica at 12:40 p.m., both games at Ocean View High.

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Laguna Beach Girls’ Soccer

Head coach: Bill Rolfing (12th year)

Coaching staff: Amanda Sylvia (8th year); Courtney Hamchuk (4th year); Daniel Pask (JV coach); Paige Guldner (Frosh/soph coach).

CIF Division: Div. 5

Last year’s record: 11-7-5

Last year’s league finish: 7-2-1 (3rd)

2015 CIF results: Reached playoff quarterfinals

Varsity roster: Emily Addis, Defender, Jr.; Brynn Anderson, Midfielder, Jr.; Rachael Ayers, MF, Sr.; Bianca Brock, MF, Soph.; Hannah Budroe, D, Sr.; Lilli Cook, D, Jr.; Kara Dunne-Dombrink, Goalie, Sr.; Greer Jacobs, Forward, Jr.; Haylee Jarvis, MF, Soph.; Christine Johnson, MF, Jr.; Alden Kramer, D, Soph.; Maddy Kristensen, F, Sr.; Emerson McCune, M, Soph.; Chiara Noppenberger, D, Sr.; Kerin Onodero, D, Fr.; Alyssa Pellow, M, Sr.; Anika Pitz, F, Jr.; Alli Raether, MF, Sr.; Charlotte Rubel, MF, Sr.; Reno Sammons, G, Jr.; Shea Skenderian, F, Soph.; Summer Stanaland, D, Sr.; Senna Thomas, D, Sr.; Blake Turner, F, Fr.

Returning starters: Emily Addis, Haylee Jarvis, Christine Johnson, Alden Kramer, Chiara Noppenberger, Alyssa Pellow.

Coach’s take: “Exciting new team with a mix of veteran leadership and youth,” Rolfing said.

The schedule: The Breakers start play Saturday in the Ocean View Tournament, and play nonleague matches in the coming week against JSerrra and Sage Hill. Later in the month, they play three nonleague matches in their annual end-of-the-year trip to the Palm Springs area.

The Breakers begin their Orange Coast League schedule Jan. 7.

“Every December match is crucial to quickly gel the players with the system of play,” Rolfing said. “The Ocean View Tournament will be huge for us as will the upcoming JSerra match (Dec. 8). Our annual trip to the desert (Dec. 28-30) will include matches with three top area teams and an opportunity for the girls to bond and have fun.”

CIF Division 5 preseason rankings: 1. Sierra Canyon; 2. La Serna; 3. La Quinta/La Quinta; 4. Alta Loma; 5. Colony; 6. Ocean View; 7. Laguna Beach; 8. Hemet; 9. Palm Desert; 10. Estancia.

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Schedule

Tuesday: tied Irvine, 1-1

Saturday: vs. Royal, St. Monica (Ocean View Tournament)

Tuesday: JSerra, 5 p.m.

Thursday: at Sage Hill, 5 p.m.

Dec. 12: at Ocean View Tourney (TBD)

Dec. 14: at Ocean View Tourney (TBD)

Dec. 17: Ocean View, 6:15 p.m.

Dec. 28: at Xavier Prep, 11 a.m.

Dec. 29: at Rancho Mirage, 11 a.m.

Dec. 30: at Shadow Hills, 10 a.m.

Jan. 2: Alumni Match, 11 a.m.

Jan. 5: San Juan Hills, 6:15 p.m.

Jan. 7: at *Godinez, 5 p.m.

Jan. 12: at *Costa Mesa, 5 p.m.

Jan. 14: *Saddleback, 5 p.m.

Jan. 19: *Estancia, 5 p.m.

Jan. 21: at *Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.

Jan. 28: *Godinez, 5 p.m.

Feb. 2: *Costa Mesa, 5 p.m.

Feb. 4: at *Saddleback, 3:15 p.m.

Feb. 8: at *Estancia, 5 p.m.

Feb. 10: *Calvary Chapel, 5 p.m.

(*denotes league game)