CYPRESS — One of Orange County’s best girls soccer rivalries added another chapter on Thursday, May 6.
The storyline offered a few twists but Pacifica High delivered a familiar ending.
Defender Averee Campos and forward Mia Leon scored second-half goals as the visiting Mariners captured a second consecutive, outright Empire League title and fourth straight overall with a 2-0 victory against Cypress.
Pacifica players celebrate the team’s win over Cypress in an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Diana Leon, center, dribbles past Pacifica’s Averee Campos, right, during an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Pacifica players pose for a team photo after defeating Cypress for the league title in an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Hailey Havican, right, reacts after missing a shot during an Empire League match against Pacifica at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Hailey Havican, left, and Pacifica’s Mia Leon battle for a header during an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress goalie Chloe Miller blocks a shot during an Empire League match against Pacifica at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Hailey Havican, left, dribbles past Pacifica’s Maddie Miller during an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Pacifica’s Averee Campos, front, and Cypress’ Rya Cabral battle fo the ball during an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Pacifica players celebrate Averee Campos’ goal during an Empire League match against Cypress at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Pacifica players celebrate Mia Leon’s goal during an Empire League match against Cypress at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Pacifica goalie Riley Westlund, front, saves the ball in front of Cypress’ Aniyah League during an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Olivia Ocampo, bottom, headers over Pacifica’s Zoe Chung during an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Bella Pellicer, left, shoots during an Empire League match against Pacifica at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Pacifica’s Avery Stevens, front, kicks the ball over her head in front of Cypress’ Hailey Havican during an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Bella Pellicer, right, and Pacifica’s Zoe Chung battle for the ball during an Empire League match at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Cypress head coach Nicole Woiemberghe yells instructions to her players during an Empire League match against Pacifica at Cypress High School in Cypress on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Pacifica’s quick-strike capabilities in the second half and defense against Michigan-bound forward Aniyah League produced one of the main wrinkles: a rare, two-goal margin in the rivalry between CIF-SS Division 1 schools.
“It’s definitely a battle ever year,” Pacifica coach Mike Sutton said.
Pacifica (11-2-1, 9-1) faced a must-win situation to accomplish its goal of a fourth consecutive league title.
The Mariners lost to Cypress 2-1 in the first round of league, which left them needing a victory Thursday to win the league title. Cypress (9-1-2, 8-1-1), which tied Valencia in the first round of league play, could have secured the league crown with a victory or a tie.
“It feels really good to win because we weren’t sure if we were getting a season,” Campos said referring to the pandemic-delayed season.
Campos broke the scoreless tie in the 51st minute by moving up from her left fullback spot for an attack along the touchline. The senior continued into the penalty box before unleashing a high, left-footed shot to beat goalie Chloe Miller, who had made a leaping block in the first half to push a shot over the goal.
Miller finished with seven saves.
For Campos, it was her team-leading 12th goal and highlighted a well-executed scheme. Pacifica aimed to attack with Campos but the strategy Thursday included trying to draw League into more defensive play because she marked Campos.
“We like to attack with seven, eight, nine players,” Sutton said.
In the 74th minute, Leon scored on a slick pass from freshman midfielder Natalie Oca, who had just reentered the game in a substitution for forward Kylie Beu. Positioned between the center circle and the Cypress’ penalty box, Leon ran onto a pass that left her one-on-one with Miller.
“I’ve known Nat since she was younger, so just have that connection,” said Leon, a sophomore. “It was a really good pass because she split the two defenders.”
Pacifica’s defense of Campos, stopper Rylie Laisy, Maddie Miller, Rachel Rujimori and Avery Stevens took care of the rest in front of goalie Riley Westlund (five saves).
This post first appeared on ocregister.com
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