Girls’ soccer: Mater Dei coach previews D-I title game

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Mater Dei Coach Matty West has agreed to provide a position-by-position breakdown for the Southern Section Division I girls’ soccer final between No. 1 Long Beach Wilson and No. 3 San Clemente, which is being played Saturday at noon at Warren High. And who better to analyze the match than West, whose Monarchs won the title last year and played both Wilson and San Clemente this season.

Mater Dei lost, 1-0, to the Bruins in the final of the MD Premier tournament in December and to the Tritons, 3-2, in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Personally, I think Wilson’s experience and talent will be too much for San Clemente, but does West agree? Keep reading to find out.

-- Jaime Cardenas

The CIF Division I finals should be a great matchup. Mater Dei had the opportunity to compete against both finalists and I can tell you LB Wilson and San Clemente are both extremely talented and deserving representatives. Each has the ability to score spectacular goals at big times, and both teams have impressive goalkeepers and both teams are very well coached.

So, let’s begin...

FORWARDS

Wilson enters the CIF Final game on an amazing roll. Their frontrunners have a great nose around the goal. Specifically, Emily Dillon is extremely dangerous and is key to their offensive success. Samantha Prochnow (23 goals, 16 assists) is a tremendous talent as well, although she may not technically be a forward. Prochnow has the best throw-in I have ever seen, which can put pressure on defenses. Samantha Baker (11 goals, 17 assists) is also a weapon that will have a positive affect on the game.

San Clemente enters the final as the hottest team in the playoffs. After scoring three blinding second-half goals in the semifinals against us, look for them to try to carry their momentum into this game. The Tritons get a lot of production out of few players. Freshman Francesca Coxe, sophomore Shelby Garcia and junior Kelsey Wilson are extremely tenacious competitors. Individually each is enormously talented and collectively they are responsible for getting San Clemente to this point.

(Fact: Wilson scored 104 times this season -- Baker, Dillon and Prochnow accounted for 46 goals; San Clemente scored 50 goals during the season, but are averaging two goals a game in the playoffs)

Edge: Wilson

MIDFIELD

San Clemente does a great job of winning first balls. This will be extremely important in their quest to win the CIF title. I believe that winning the middle third will be critical to their success.

Wilson has a lot of athleticism in the midfield. They connect passes, read the game well and make very good decisions. Look for them to put a lot of pressure on San Clemente -- creating turnovers and counter attacks.

Edge: Push

DEFENSE

Wilson is anchored by senior Danielle Russell, who is one of the most talented players in Southern California. She does so many things so well. If she exerts her will on the game, San Clemente could have a really difficult time mustering offensive opportunities.

San Clemente also has a talented defender in senior Justine Sauder. Justine anchors the backline, making excellent decisions and winning important tackles.

(Fact: Wilson only allowed 12 goals in 30 games played this season, none in the playoffs; San Clemente gave up 24 goals, but only three in the postseason)

Edge: Wilson

GOALKEEPERS

San Clemente also has a fantastic goalkeeper in senior Hannah Turpen (pictured right). She might be the MVP of the CIF playoffs thus far, making incredible save after incredible save at the biggest times.

Wilson has a great goalkeeper in senior Lacy Heck. She can make the big save at the big time. Moreover, she gives he defense excellent confidence.

Edge: Push

OVERALL

San Clemente has been playing like a team of destiny, and they are peaking at the right time, but I think Wilson is just too good. They have demonstrated that they are the deepest team at every position and the best team throughout the entire season, rising to overcome every challenge that they have encountered.

Who wins: Wilson

-- Matty West, Mater Dei High girls’ soccer coach and guest blogger

-- Images from www.cifss.org, www.materdei.org and www.scblues.com