Mission Viejo's Lauren Matheson

Widely recognized as one of the best players in the county, Mission Viejo senior Lauren Matheson took home one the state's most prestigious awards Tuesday.

Matheson was named as the 2008-2009 Gatorade California Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

She is the first winner of the award to be chosen from the school.

Matheson enjoyed a fine season, leading the Diablos with nine goals and 15 assists, as Mission Viejo claimed a share of the South Coast League title and was the No. 1 overall seed in the CIF-SS Division I playoffs.

Her efforts also earned her the 2008-2009 South Coast League's Player of the Year award, as well as a spot on the Register's  All-County first team.

Matheson will now be a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award, which will be announced later this month.

She has signed her national letter of intent to play soccer on scholarship at Santa Clara next season.

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