Cougars Win on Freshman’s Goal

Capistrano Valley freshman Kim Horn scored her first goal, leading the top-ranked Cougars to a 1-0 victory over No. 7 Woodbridge in a nonleague girls’ soccer game Wednesday at Alton Park in Irvine.

Horn headed a thrown-in from her sister, Jennifer, that bounced off the crossbar. Lindsay Hoffman flicked the rebound back inside to Kim Horn, who headed it past Woodbridge goalkeeper Janelle Godges with 20 minutes remaining.

The goal spoiled an outstanding effort from Godges, who stopped nine of the Cougars’ 15 shots, seven of nine in the first half.

Woodbridge (1-1-1), which also took 15 shots, missed several opportunities to score in the second half, including two wide-open shots that went wide. Senior defender Ashley Swanson made a great run from her defensive position to just outside the Cougars’ box. She sent the ball to Christene Johnson, who caught goalie Staci Sinkway out of position, but Johnson’s shot just missed to the outside. Minutes later, junior midfielder Laura Hileary headed a ball just outside the post, after a direct kick from Swanson.

Sinkway finished with six saves for the Cougars.

The Cougars (1-0), the Southern Section Division I champions, also had some close calls, including a blast by senior midfielder Kristen Moore that went off the post and Hoffman’s rebound, which was hauled in by Godges.

Capistrano Valley begins play in the Mater Dei tournament today at Mile Square Park, along with No. 2 Aliso Niguel, No. 4 Esperanza and No. 6 Mission Viejo.