PREP ROUNDUP : Mater Dei Girls Win Soccer Title

Sixth-ranked Mater Dei scored twice on free kicks in the first half and defeated No. 3 Capistrano Valley, 2-1, Thursday at Capistrano Valley High to win its first South Coast League girls’ soccer championship.

The Cougars (19-4-3, 8-2) led the league race most of the season, but Mater Dei (17-5-1, 8-1-1) caught them at the finish and completed a season sweep.

Trisha Steiner, who scored in the winning goal on Jan. 20 to give Mater Dei a 1-0 victory, headed in a free kick just before halftime Thursday to put the Monarchs ahead to stay.

The Cougars, who entered the game needing only a tie to win the title, were forced to rally when the Monarchs took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half.

The first goal came after Mater Dei’s Chrissy Whalen scuffled with Erin Conners, sending both players to the sidelines with yellow-card warnings. Mater Dei, which had possession when the penalties were called, was given a free kick just beyond the penalty box.

Teresa Buechler then kicked a perfect shot into the right corner of the goal.

Four minutes before halftime, Capistrano Valley got even when Kim Thompson dribbled past two defenders and scored from 30 yards.

However, the Monarchs were awarded another free kick two minutes later and Corrine Di Luigi lofted a pass to Steiner, who headed the ball in.