Girls' Soccer Playoffs: Aliso Beaten in Championship

This time, there was no late goal. And even if there had been, it wouldn't have been enough to bring Aliso Niguel victory in the Southern Section Division 1 Girls' Soccer Championships.

Aliso Niguel was defeated by West Hills Chaminade, 3-1, on Friday night at Corona High in the section's marquee game for its marquee division. In the process, Aliso was denied a second consecutive championship and a third overall.

However, the season may not be over for Aliso (13-4-6), which will find out Sunday if it is included in the Southern California Division 1 Regional—which the Wolverines won a year ago.

Winning the Regional could certainly lessen the sting of what transpired Friday, when Aliso gave up as many goals as it had in four previous playoff games. 

Chaminade (20-3-5) scored in the opening minute when Maddie Romeo knocked the ball past Aliso goalkeeper Riley Sims, who eventually finished with seven saves.

Aliso, which reached the section finals by beating  top-seeded Capistrano Valley with a goal with three minutes left in the semifinals, tied the score midway through the first half when Danica Koos scored on a penalty kick.

But that was the only time the Aliso beat Chaminade keeper Chinaar Desai, who finished with six saves.

In the closing seconds of the half, Abbi Williams headed the ball into the net off a throw-in for a 2-1 Chaminade lead.

Desai turned back a couple more good scoring chances in the second half by Aliso before Brittney McKinney answered with Chaminade's third goal in the 72nd minute.