Mater Dei girls soccer upsets Santa Margarita to win CIF SoCal Regional title

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LAS FLORES — Mater Dei’s girls soccer team turned its tears into cheers.

One week after a painful loss on the pitch, the Monarchs rejoiced Saturday after upsetting Trinity League rival Santa Margarita 2-0 in the Division I final of the CIF Southern California Regional at Tesoro High.

By defeating top-seeded Santa Margarita for the first time in four matches this season, the No. 2-seeded Monarchs qualified for the inaugural CIF State championships in Sacramento on March 14.

Mater Dei (17-3-8) will play the winner of the Northern California Regional final between Buchanan and Bishop O’Dowd.

The Monarchs earned a degree of revenge for a 3-0 loss to the Eagles (19-2-5) in the CIF-SS Open Division final on Feb. 28.

After the final whistle Saturday, the Mater Dei reserves rushed onto the field to celebrate with their teammates. The Monarchs jumped as senior co-captain Valentina Labuschagne hoisted the title plaque.

“We mentally prepared ourselves (and) we gave it our all,” said Labuschagne, who had a goal and assist. “We didn’t let last week define us because we knew we had state and we were going to play them (Santa Margarita) again.”

Mater Dei coach Matty West praised his team’s determination.

“These girls showed a lot of resiliency,” said West, whose team entered the game with an 0-2-1 record this season against the Eagles. “They take a lot of pride in representing Mater Dei High School, adding to the tradition.”

Mater Dei scored twice on corner kicks taken by Labuschagne.

Early in the second half, the high-scoring Rice commit sent a right-footed corner into the box that Lucy Mendiola headed into the net.

“Incredible (cross),” said Mendiola, the daughter of former El Toro basketball standout Fabrizio Mendiola. “(We gave) a lot of effort. Everyone was just tried of losing to them.”

Mater Dei took a 1-0 lead about 16 minutes into the opening half on a goal by Labuschagne off a corner kick.

Labuschagne bounced the kick in front of Santa Margarita’s near post before the ball scooted to the back corner of the net.

Labuschagne’s goal highlighted a furious opening to the match.

Santa Margarita nearly scored moments after kickoff with a shot in the penalty box rolling wide. A few minutes later, a shot by Felicity Nguyen hit off a post.

Mater Dei also had chances. Santa Margarita goalie Kaitlin Crossett soared to her right to deflect a shot in the box.

Mater Dei’s defense received a spark just before halftime. Sophomore goalie Ella Priest tipped out a high shot over the crossbar to save a goal.

Priest received strong support from a backline that included co-captain Suna Roberts and Addy Rodriguez. Mendiola was another key defender.

“Very even game and they scored two goals on set pieces … Credit to them,” Santa Margarita coach Craig Bull said. “Amazing season. I’m not complaining at all.”