Seniors Maddy Beckley (23) and Brenna Isbell (22) each scored a goal Thursday for the Wolverines.
Before the 2010 season started, Aliso Niguel head coach Randy Dodge acknowledged that his team would have to rely on the contributions of many if they hoped to be successful.

And while the season is still in its’ infant stages, the Wolverines are proving their coach’s words to be prophetic.

The latest and most definitive example of how strong overall team play can lead the team to its’ desired results came Thursday night in the opening match of the 2010 Mater Dei Premier Invitational, where the Wolverines had four different goal scorers and supplemented that with solid defense in a 4-1 win over No. 1 Esperanza.

The victory ended Esperanza’s streak of 46 consecutive matches without a lost and was the first time the defending CIF-SS Division 1 champions had allowed as many goals in a match since 2006.

Aliso Niguel senior Maddy Beckley, who put the Wolverines up 2-0 with a first half goal, talked about the importance of using the victory as a springboard to more promising results.

“Ending that streak was huge for us and we can build on that,” Beckley said. “I think the chemistry we have will carry us a long way this season.”

Dodge characterized the victory as a perfect example of what his vision is for the team.

“This effort was the epitome of what makes our program successful,” Dodge said. “We’re going to continue to do what we do and play to win.”

What the Wolverines continued to do throughout Thursday’s match was attack the Aztecs defense with consistent pressure in the attacking third, while converting opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net.

Aliso Niguel has built a reputation as being a defensive-oriented team over the last couple of season, but the offense has provided crucial balance through the early portion of the preseason. In the team’s last two matches, seven different players have combined to score eight goals.

Senior Brenna Isbell, who scored the final goal of the match, admitted that beating Esperanza was important, but not the pinnacle for what the team hopes to accomplish throughout the remainder of the season.

“We were planning for this game for a while and wanted to play hard,” Isbell said. “This was a great step and a big win for us, but this is just the beginning. We need to keep up the hard work.” 

Picture of "Seniors Maddy Beckley (23) and Brenna Isbell (22) each scored a goal Thursday for the Wolverines" was taken by JASON EICHELBERGER. ©Copyright 2010 Freedom Communications. All Rights Reserved.

Aliso Niguel’s girls soccer team began the Mater Dei Premier Invitational looking to establish an identity and to find out what type of team it is capable of being.

A superb tournament-opening effort against the reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champions could be a sign of things to come for the Wolverines.

Four players tallied goals for the No. 6 Wolverines as they ended No. 1 Esperanza’s 46-match unbeaten streak with a 4-1 victory in pool play Thursday at Mater Dei.

“We’re all in this together and that win was huge for us,” Wolverines senior Maddy Beckley said.

Including the playoffs, Esperanza (4-1-2) had not been defeated since Jan. 22, 2009, when the Aztecs lost a Sunset League match to Marina, 1-0.

Aliso Niguel (6-1) has won its last three matches by a combined score of 11-2.

“We’re really looking at the next three days to find out where we are, and we did some good things tonight,” Wolverines coach Randy Dodge said. “We’re going to have to come out tomorrow and match the same energy we had tonight or this win will mean nothing.”

The Wolverines scored the first goal midway through the first half. Senior Alexis Colacchio sent a crossing pass toward the middle of the box that Darion Wiegert controlled and tapped past Aztecs goalie Alyssa Giannetti.

Later in the half, Beckley found an open space in the Aztecs defense and hit a hard, left-footed shot that sailed over Giannetti’s head and into the goal.

Esperanza opened the second half on the attack and cut the deficit to 2-1 midway into the second half. But Aliso Niguel answered moments later with a goal by Jordan Ansara.

With less than five minutes to play, Wolverines senior Brenna Isbell capped the scoring with a far post shot that found the back of the net.

“They finished the chances they had and we didn’t,” Esperanza coach John King said. “They (Aliso Niguel) deserved to win today and we just have to show up tomorrow and try to be better.”

- JASON EICHELBERGER, OCVarsity.com