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Sports

Another Heartbreaker For Tritons in Title Match

San Clemente held a 1-0 halftime lead against Aliso Niguel but surrendered two goals in the second half to end their 17-match unbeaten streak in the CIF-SS Division 1 Final.

If San Clemente thought it was difficult losing in the CIF Southern Section title match last season, losing for a second straight time by a single goal was about as painful as it gets for the most prominent girls soccer program in Orange County over the past decade.

The Tritons dominated the first half against South Coast League rival Aliso Niguel by taking a 1-0 lead, and seemingly had the match—and championship—under control.

But the Wolverines scored twice in the final 15 minutes of the second half to stun second-seeded San Clemente, 2-1, Friday night at Mission Viejo High to capture their first section championship since winning the program's only title in 2001.

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Sophomore Nikki Faris gave San Clemente a lead in the first 15 minutes when she got the ball past Aliso Niguel goalkeeper Sammy Jo Prud'homme.

It remained the only goal until down the stretch, when Aliso Niguel's Lauren Benner won a scramble for the ball and punched it past goalie Sheridan Hapsic for the tie.

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About seven minutes later, Aliso Niguel got a goal from Dominique Bond-Flasza after a corner kick.

The Tritons (17-3-8) extended their county record to five consecutive appearances in the Division 1 title match, but had their 17-match unbeaten streak snapped by Aliso Niguel. San Clemente has lost the last three, including a 1-0 loss to Flintridge Sacred Heart last season, but have two championships in that span.

San Clemente lost and tied against Aliso Niguel during the regular season, and also scored a victory in the league finale—handing the Wolverines their only loss. 

But San Clemente couldn’t finish the postseason the same way.

And neither could Aliso Niguel, which has the hardware to prove it.

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