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IRVINE — If the Division 1 girls soccer race in the CIF Southern Section is indeed wide open, Temecula Valley and Los Alamitos fueled that argument Saturday night in the finals of the Best in the West Tournament.

The division’s fifth- and seventh-ranked teams waged a back-and-forth duel at University High, complete with the excellent scoring chances and diving saves fit for CIF contenders.

No. 5 Temecula Valley left with the title as junior wing Jenna Chaput scored off a corner kick in the 63rd minute to lift the Golden Bears past the No. 7 Griffins for their first Best in the West crown.

Temecula Valley’s reserve players rushed onto the field after the final whistle to celebrate the title of tournament that featured defending Division 1 champion Harvard-Westlake, No. 2 Santiago of Corona and No. 3 San Juan Hills among others.

“We’re extremely happy because it’s the first time it’s ever been done for TV (Temecula Valley) soccer,” Chaput said of the triumph. “I feel as (if) it’s the first of many and just another stepping stone to a CIF title.”

Chaput volleyed in a loose ball in front of the Griffins’ net for her first goal of the winter. She struck after teammate Camryn Vehlow headed the initial cross from Natalie Mitchell toward the goal from the far post.

Temecula Valley (6-1-2), led by a fast group of forwards, kept the pressure on but Washington State-bound goalie Aurora Schuck made two her six saves in the 67th and 74th minute to keep the Griffins (2-2-2) close.

Los Alamitos also narrowly missed a few scoring chances to tie the score.

“It was like a final-worthy type game,” Los Alamitos coach Pat Rossi said. “Their front-three are so fast and good, it was tough.”

Mitchell, Temecula Valley’s leading scorer, put away the first shot of the match in the 4th minute. The speedy midfielder bound for East Carolina capped a quick counterattack by scoring off a cross by forward Kate Jacobsen from the left wing for her 11th goal.

Mitchell, a highly-regraded player from the San Diego Surf club, also scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory against Newport Harbor in the semifinals.

Los Alamitos responded in the 13th minute as uncommitted Marisa Salazar, an attacking midfielder, collected a deflection and rushed the box before scoring on a low shot for her second goal of the season.

But Temecula Valley goalie Ellie Ludwig didn’t allow another goal. The junior tipped a shot over the crossbar later in the first half and dove to punch away another scoring chance early in the second half en route to five saves.

“They came in hard against us and it was very evenly matched at times, and made it that much more fun to win it,” Temecula Valley coach Jennifer Guinn said.

Los Alamitos beat San Juan Hills 2-1 in the semifinals on goals by senior Espi Logan and freshman Vivi Zacarias.

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