Los Al Adds Another Win Against Top Competition

Los Alamitos High's girls soccer team has been facing formidable tests all week -- four games in four days against the best competition in Southern California -- and Coach Steve Soler admits he's not always pleased with the way his Griffins handle each challenge.

But that's OK.

"I've told the girls," he quipped, "I've developed a case of amnesia."

No need to wipe away Friday afternoon's encounter, a largely impressive 1-0 triumph over Aliso Niguel, ranked fifth in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 poll, at the Mater Dei Premier Invitational.

It sure made up for Los Al's listless performance in a 2-0 loss to Palos Verdes, ranked No. 2 in Division 2, in a tournament opener Thursday, in which the Griffins (4-2-3) couldn't find the necessary intensity following an emotional triumph Wednesday over Santa Margarita, the No. 2 team in Division 1.

Up next: Two-time defending Division 1 champ Anaheim Esperanza, which is ranked No. 1.

It's a grueling series of games, but Los Alamitos, which is No. 4 in Division 1, is using them to discover just how good it could be.

"It's a good confidence-booster," Soler said. "We just played three games in a row, top teams in Division 1 and 2. I'm definitely confident in what my team can do."

They offered a classy demonstration for the first 50 or 55 minutes of Friday's 70-minute clash, dictating the pace of play through, primarily, Adriana Gjonovich, a central midfielder headed to Cal State Fullerton.

Gjonovich's vision and ability to spread the ball to teammates, especially winger Callie Taylor, primed a terrific possession game that didn't create nearly as many scoring chances as were deserved.

The best opportunities came from corner kicks -- Gjonovich's first two nearly paid off: Phoebe Conrad's shot was cleared off the line by Jessie Mancilla in the sixth minute, and Aliso Niguel goalkeeper Sammy Prud'homme just beat Taylor to punch the ball from danger in the 25th.

But when Los Al's set pieces started going sloppy, assistant coach Eduardo Nunes suggested a tactical switch, and Gjonovich turned it into a 44th-minute lead.

It was a corner kick on the right flank, and instead of lofting the ball into the box, the Griffins played it short, with Gjonovich taking a feed, racing into the box from the flank and firing toward the goalmouth. Lindsey Salcido got the decisive touch.

"[Nunes] loves putting two [players] on the ball -- he made a great call. It kind of throws it off a little bit," Soler said. "Obviously, I like putting the ball in the box, but if we're not getting there, he made the right adjustment."

Gjonovich, Soler said, is "crafty, and she's got this level of confidence in her right now, and she understands it's her senior year, and she wants to come out with a bang. She came in sharp and just ready to … I don't want to say put weight on her shoulders, but relieve the stress from everyone else."

As vital was defender Natalie Donaldson, who all but shut down Santa Margarita's All-CIF forward Lauren Bohaboy in Wednesday's victory. Donaldson and goalkeeper Amanda Sears were pivotal as Aliso Niguel (6-2-0), which snapped Esperanza's 46-game unbeaten streak Thursday, pushed forward in search of an equalizer the final 15 minutes or so.

The victory left the Griffins in third place in Group C, five points behind Palos Verdes and one point in back of Aliso Niguel (in a scoring system that provides points for goals scored and shutouts). A victory over Esperanza and a draw between Palos Verdes and Aliso Niguel in Saturday's group finales would send Los Al to Saturday afternoon's semifinals. The title game is Monday evening.