San Clemente Getting Hot in Capo Valley Summer League

For the first two games since playing the maximum number of playoff games and capturing the sectional, regional and state championship titles this year, San Clemente might have been able to star in a high school team’s version of The Hangover.

The team lost one and tied one in their first two games and appeared to be somewhat disorganized and a bit frustrated.

But it appears that the may be worked out of the system.

The Tritons played hard for their fifth straight game and easily defeated San Juan Hills, 4-0, Monday to start the final week of the Capo Valley Summer League before the single-elimination tournament begins next weekend.

San Clemente is 5-1-1 in the tournament and will play Trabuco Hills Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the stadium at Capistrano Valley High. The playoffs begin with the quarterfinals Monday, the semifinals next Wednesday and the championship game next Friday at 4 p.m.

The Tritons controlled much of the game and repeatedly got behind the Stallions’ midfielders to go one-on-one with a defender for scoring opportunities. San Clemente outshot their opponents 9-2 in the first half and 9-1 in the second half while Dylan Digiacomo needed just three saves through 80-some minutes to record the shutout.

After the game, San Clemente coach Mike Pronier said that he thought the players were finally playing together and appeared recovered mentally from last season’s amazing playoff run.

“When you do good things expectations go up, from everybody. Keeping that intensity going after last season is a tough thing to do,” Pronier admitted. “We lost 14 seniors [to graduation], but we have six returning players, including our goalie [Digiacomo].

“The JV won league [last season] so we have some good players coming up, but we haven’t played much together. The biggest thing I want see from my players is organization and adjusting to the speed of the game.”

The Tritons led only 1-0 at halftime, converting on just one of nine scoring opportunities, but redeemed themselves in the second half by scoring three goals in eight chances.

Michael Sotavonga scored 10 minutes in on another breakaway pass, and then Dylan Struthers iced the Tritons victory by scoring twice within a two-minute stretch with about 10 minutes remaining. The first came from a left-footed stinger from about 21 yards on the right side into the upper left corner of the net, and the second off a free kick.

San Juan Hills coach Bob Ridley, a San Clemente alumnus, said that he was happy with the team’s performance in the first half, but the might and will of the Tritons was too much for his young and largely inexperienced players to overcome in the second half.

“Right know it’s all about the young players and trying to get them playing together,” said Ridley, who will have mostly juniors on the team next season. “It’s all about time now. These games are about attitude and building teamwork. You always know what you’re going to get with San Clemente. They go out and fight hard.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: The photos accompanying this story are file photos from games earlier this year.