Breakers boys’ soccer looks for support against Eagles

Patrick Coyne said that today’s match for his Laguna Beach High boys’ soccer team is an important one.

Call it a “bounce back” match, if you will.

The Breakers are looking to comeback from a poor second-half showing Wednesday that resulted in a 4-1 loss to visiting Estancia, when they host Calvary Chapel at 6:15 p.m. at Guyer Field.

Laguna will be out to improve to 2-1 in Orange Coast League play and atone for Wednesday’s slip-up.

The Breakers led Estancia, 1-0 at the half, but gave up four second-half goals as the Eagles’ Eric Duarte took control for his team.

“We were in control of the match but let it get away in the second half,” said Coyne whose squad trailed only 2-1 heading into the final eight minutes. “We talked after the match and the kids were pretty upset. I told them that it’s just one match, that they have to pick their heads up, and let’s play well Friday.

“We’d like to see some support for our soccer program for our home games. We want to fill the stands. It would be great for our team to see a supportive crowd.”

The Breakers had begun their league season last Friday with a 3-1 win on a cold and windy day at Costa Mesa High. In a reversal from Wednesday’s loss, the Breakers came up with dominant second-half performance to bounce back from a 1-0 halftime deficit.

Graham Harris finished a shot taken by Tony Awadalla that had initially been blocked by the Costa Mesa goalie to tie the score. The Breakers went into the lead when a kick by their own goalie, Erik Haug, taken from the edge of his own box, careened past several Mustang defenders and sneaked past the Costa Mesa goalie and into the net.

Laguna stretched its lead to 3-1 on a free kick taken by Michael Tachovsky that was headed into the goal by Brennan Healy.

“The boys really played aggressively in the second half and proved that they can score goals, a concern at the start of the season,” Coyne said. “It’s also pretty rare when your keeper scores a goal, but Erik has had a couple of near misses, so he was due.”

Following today’s match against Calvary Chapel, the Breakers will host Costa Mesa Wednesday.

In girls’ soccer

Laguna picked up its initial Orange Coast League win Tuesday with a 3-0 shutout of Estancia at Guyer Field.

The Breakers had the match in hand by halftime, where they led, 3-0.

Nikki Clark scored twice, each of her goals being set up by Wesley Hamchuk and Jackie Csira. Courtney Capobianco posted the other goal on a penalty kick.

Goalkeeper: Lauren Caris recorded six saves.

Previously, Laguna and Costa Mesa played to a 1-1 tie in their league opener on Jan. 11.

Kaylee Rees scored in the second half for the Breakers and Caris had seven saves for the Breakers.

Laguna resumes league play Tuesday with a home match against Costa Mesa.