Greco’s Heroics Save Cougars’ Upset Victory

Mark Greco had 11 saves, including two in the last five minutes, as visiting Capistrano Valley upset second-ranked Mater Dei 1-0 in South Coast League boys’ soccer Friday.

The loss is the first for the Monarchs this season.

Phil Latini gave the sixth-ranked Cougars (12-3-2, 2-1) an early lead when he chipped Taylor Richmond’s pass in the penalty box over the head of Mater Dei goalie Jeff McKeever.

The Monarchs (13-1-2, 1-1-1) had a chance to tie the score later in the first half when Greco made a save that left the goal wide open. But Greco came back across the goalie box to make the save on the counterattack and preserve the 1-0 lead.

In another South Coast League game:

Dana Hills 2, San Clemente 1--Unranked Dana Hills held seventh-ranked San Clemente to one goal as Kyle Kyle scored two second-half goals for the win. Juan Diaz assisted Kyle on both goals and Parker Jarvis recorded nine saves for Dana Hills (6-4, 4-0). San Clemente drops to 11-3-2, 1-3.

In the Empire League:

Katella 1, Century 0 (2 OT)--Luis Martinez scored the winner in the 99th minute for Katella (6-7-2, 2-2). Bob Nita made six saves to record his second shutout of the season. Raymond Ugrate made nine saves on 17 shots for Century (3-8-4, 1-3).

Loara 1, Cypress 0--Rafael Barajas scored with 25 minutes left in the game as Loara upset 10th-ranked Cypress. Jose Sanchez had four saves in his sixth shutout for the Saxons (5-8-3, 2-2). Goalkeeper Matt Resor had four saves for Cypress (14-3-1, 3-1).

In the Sea View League:

Newport Harbor 2, El Toro 1--Manny Opresso scored with 14 minutes left in the game as Newport Harbor (7-3, 4-1) upset ninth-ranked El Toro. Opresso also had an assist on Chapin Kreuter’s first-half goal. Zack Wells had 10 saves for the Sailors.

Woodbridge 2, Corona del Mar 2--Robert Klase tied the score for Corona del Mar (7-6-7, 0-2-3) with six minutes remaining. Ygall Kersenbausm scored both goals for fourth-ranked Woodbridge (12-3-3, 3-1-1).

In the Sunset League:

Edison 1, Los Alamitos 0 (2 OT)--Matisse Greshock scored a short-handed goal with two minutes left in the second overtime for Edison (1-3 in league). Chris Van Reusen recorded his third shutout of the season.

In South Coast League girls’ basketball:

Capistrano Valley 67, Mater Dei 59--Jenny Jennings made four three-pointers and scored 23 points as Capistrano Valley upset fourth-ranked Mater Dei. The loss was the first in league for the Monarchs.

Natasha Combs scored 17 points for the ninth-ranked Cougars (14-6, 3-2).

Tina Garcia scored 14 points for Mater Dei (13-5, 4-1).

In nonleague girls’ water polo:

El Toro 12, Trabuco Hills 5--Kristen Miller scored eight goals and Shelly Brandt had four assists to lead El Toro (9-6). Amy Gaebel scored four goals for Trabuco Hills.

Newport Harbor 9, Foothill 5--Alden Moore had three goals and Erin Murphy had two for seventh-ranked Newport Harbor (11-4). Ninth-ranked Foothill drops to 9-6.

Santa Margarita 10, Costa Mesa 9--Katie Ferguson scored five goals to lead Santa Margarita (10-5). Amy Howse had three goals for Costa Mesa (7-8).