Buena Park’s Victory Is One for Record Books

The Buena Park girls’ soccer team finally ended a streak that had begun before any of them were even born.

It began 19 1/2 years ago, when the sport of girls’ soccer was added to the Freeway League, and it ended on Thursday, when the Coyotes won their first league game, defeating Fullerton, 2-1, at Buena Park.

“That was our only goal this season,� said Buena Park Coach Patrick Overton of his streak busters. “They are just happy with that. Anything else from here on out is just icing on the cake.�

The Coyotes (2-8, 1-5) had scored only one goal in league play this season--in their first meeting with Fullerton--so they knew the rematch with the Indians was their best chance to end the drought.

Senior forward Lolani Alvarez, who scored against Fullerton in the 3-1 first-round loss, also scored both goals in the victory.

“The team was ecstatic,� said Overton, in his third season as coach. “They were running around screaming and tackling each other. It was amazing.�

ON THE FLIP SIDE

Mission Viejo is faced with a situation they haven’t seen since the 1994-95 season. The Diablos, who have a losing record in the South Coast League, are battling to keep their playoff hopes alive.

After top-ranked Capistrano Valley swept the Diablos for the second consecutive season, handing them a 4-2 loss on Thursday, Mission Viejo fell to 14-5-1, 3-4. The Diablos have also lost to fourth-ranked San Clemente and unranked Trabuco Hills.

The five-time Southern Section champions haven’t missed the playoffs since 1995. Since then they have appeared in three section finals. They shared a Division I co-championship with Los Alamitos in 1996 and defeated Capistrano Valley for the title in 1998. In last season’s final they lost to Claremont.

They play Trabuco Hills on Thursday and close out league play next week against El Toro and San Clemente.

LOOKING AHEAD

The battle for dominance in the Empire League continues today as Cypress hosts Loara. The Centurions (11-4-2, 5-1), who lost to El Dorado, 1-0, in the final seconds of overtime two weeks ago, cannot afford to lose again, trailing the Hawks (10-7-2, 5-0-1) by one point in league.

Cypress is led by Nicole Woiemberghe (12 goals) and goalkeeper Angela Orr, who has nine shutouts.

Loara (15-3-1, 4-1-1) lost to Cypress, 2-1, in their first-round game but then stunned El Dorado with a 2-2 tie the next week to remain in the hunt.

A victory by Loara, which is led by Lauren Lappin’s 26 goals, would move the Saxons into at least second place, depending on the result of El Dorado’s game against Century.

On Thursday, Valencia (10-3-2, 5-0-1) travels to Brea Olinda (10-6-3, 4-0-1) for a game that will determine the Orange League champion. The teams tied, 1-1, in their first meeting.

If you have an item or idea for the girls’ soccer report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at [email protected].