IRVINE- Entering the season, Los Alamitos girls soccer coach Steve Soler stressed that his team had to do a better job converting its set pieces into solid scoring opportunities.

After a slow start against Northwood, his team heeded that message and the results were quite successful.

Junior forward Ari Carillo scored twice off of corner kicks from senior midfielder Lauren Ingram as the No. 5 Griffins rallied to defeat No. 6 Northwood, 3-1, in pool play of the Aliso Cup Tournament on Thursday afternoon at Meadowood Park in Irvine.

“After losing to Aliso Niguel in the playoffs last year, we knew that set pieces would be a major component to winning games,” Soler said. “It’s been a big weapon for us so far this year.”

The Griffins (2-0-1) were forced to come from behind, as the Timberwolves (0-3-1) came out aggressive in the first 30 minutes of the contest, imposing their physical style and getting chances at the net.

Midway through the first half, junior forward Carly Singer uncorked a high arching shot from nearly 20 yards out that curled over the fingertips of Griffins senior goalie Amanda Mc Donough and into the net, giving the Timberwolves a 1-0 advantage.

But the Griffins responded later in the half, as Carillo found Ingram’s first corner kick amongst several players and managed to head the ball into the net, tying the contest at 1.

Los Alamitos took the lead for good moments later, when junior defender Shannon Ward took a feed from senior forward Kiley Godfrey and launched a high arching kick that twisted over the head of Timberwolves’ senior goalie Ashley Morgan and into the top left corner of the net, making it 2-1 at the intermission.

Ingram and Carillo re-created their set piece connection again in the second half, as Ingram’s well placed corner kick found Carillo, who again amongst numerous players, managed to head the ball into the net, increasing the lead to 3-1.

Senior defenders Katie Peterson and Jessica Yukihiro, along with Ward helped close out the victory, continually denying the Timberwolves scoring opportunities down the stretch with their own physical defensive and hustle to loose balls.

Carillo acknowledged that the Griffins know that in order to continue their early season success, they must maintain their cohesive effort.

“As a team, we’re working on just coming together and playing as a unit,” she said.

Northwood assistant coach Chris Woolley knows that the Timberwolves have to do a better job of adjusting to their opposition.

“The girls have to do the little things and match their opponent’s physicality,” he said. “We have to realize that when the opponent hits us, we have to hit back.”

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