Pink wins pair, stays unbeaten

The Laguna Pink girls’ soccer team won two matches last weekend to move into first place in the division standings.

Laguna continued unbeaten on the season (6-0-2) by blanking neighboring Laguna Hills, 4-0, and edging San Juan Capistrano, 2-1, in AYSO 10-and-Under play.

Laguna Beach 4,

Laguna Hills 0

Laguna Beach hit the road for a Saturday match in Laguna Hills and returned home with a dominating performance that led to a shutout victory.

Makenzie Fischer posted two goals to lead a Laguna Beach scoring attack that also saw Johana Abarca and Jamie Duncan post goals.

The pinpoint passing of Summer Dvorak, Brenna Merchant, and Nina Bo allowed the trio to earn assists.

Laguna 2, San Juan Capistrano 1

Laguna came back from a 1-0 second-half deficit Sunday to defeat a San Juan Capistrano team that previously been in first-place in the division.

San Juan Capistrano took several shots on the Laguna goal in the opening half, but Laguna’s rotation of goalies Nina Bo, Summer Dvorak, Johana Abarca and Peighton McRobie came up with crucial saves.

The teams went into the break locked in a scoreless match.

San Juan Capistrano scored the first goal of the match just after the start of the second half but Francie Holte of Laguna would tie the score with a shot while playing mid-field.

Laguna’s tough defense, led by Kira Thornton, Jamie Duncan, Brenna Merchant and Brooke Borges, and with Makenzie Fischer and Audrey Pillsbury controlling the midfield, wouldn’t let San Juan Capistrano score again.

Dvorak, playing right forward, scored late in the game to put the Pink ahead for good, 2-1.

“Each girl played their heart out at each position,” Laguna Coach Wendi Dvorak said. “That is how we came away with a victory today, playing as a team.”

“It was a shame somebody had to lose the match today,” Laguna assistant coach Todd Thornton added. “Both teams gave it their all, and were very evenly matched.”

The Laguna Pinks won’t play again until Sat., April 21, with a match in Laguna Niguel.