Breakers undefeated through five matches

Laguna Beach’s girls’ soccer team remained undefeated through the first five matches of the season after the Breakers settled for a 1-1 tie against visiting University on Tuesday at Guyer Field.

Both teams had opportunities to win the hard-fought game, but neither could come away with the victory. Laguna’s tough defense, led by senior Holden Penney, turned away repeated attacks from University’s quick forwards. Goalie Lura Hills had 12 saves and several times streaked out to the 18-yard line to stop the attack.

The scoring took place in the opening half, with Laguna striking first. A nicely placed shot off the far post by senior forward Erica Hawkins was set up by Kelsey Peterson and Madeline Arterburn. Sophomore Kelsey Rustigian, freshman Marina Paul and junior Alex De Garmo battled hard through the midfield to keep University in check, although the Trojans did score the equalizing goal just before the half.

Laguna continues play today at the Ocean View Winter Classic by taking on Tustin at Ocean View High. A win today would put the Breakers into Monday’s final four in the 18-team tournament.

The Breakers currently are 2-0-1 in the tournament. They opened the tourney with a scoreless draw against Connelly, routed Saddleback, 4-0, and blanked Oxford Academy of Cypress, 1-0. In the win over Saddleback, De Garmo scored twice, Samantha Kafer and Jenny Maddocks each had a goal and Arterburn and Paul each had an assist. In the win over Oxford Academy, Rustigian scored off an assist from Alex Williamson.

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Boys’ soccer

Laguna Beach suffered its first loss of the season Wednesday when visiting Santa Margarita held off the Breakers in the second half to claim a 1-0 nonleague victory at Guyer Field.

A Ryan Canty goal off an assist from John Atkinson gave the Mustangs a 1-0 halftime lead. Laguna Coach Patrick Coyne said a miscommunication between his players played a part in the score.

After halftime, Laguna (2-1-2) dominated play but couldn’t get the equalizer.

“We dominated possession and out-shot them in the second half,” Coyne said.

“The boys played really well. I thought we outplayed them and I’m proud of the boys’ performance.

It was the first win of the season for Santa Margarita, which previously had played Fountain Valley to a scoreless tie on Dec. 3.

In a previous nonleague game Monday, Laguna took a 3-1 victory over the host Valley Christian in Cerritos. The Breakers got their first goal just seven minutes into the match when Ian Green scored from 30 yards out.

Twenty-two minutes into the second half, Laguna center defenseman Matt Anderson started a relay from the backfield. He sent a chain of passes from Caine Fair to Green to Tommy Hopper and it was Hopper who scored the eventual winning goal that gave Laguna a 2-1 lead. The Breakers put the match away with just under six minutes to play when John Snedegar scored. The scoring drive was set up by the passing of defensive sweeper Noah Michelon and Edgar Rabadon.

Laguna opens play today at the Chino Hills Tournament. The Breakers will play Ganesha of Pomona at 3:15 p.m. at Ayala Park. On Saturday, they’ll face Rubidoux of Riverside at 12:30 p.m. also at Ayala Park. The tournament concludes Monday. The Breakers also will host Tesoro at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday.