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The reemergence of Aliso Niguel’s girls soccer team under coach Sean Melendez took another major step on Tuesday night.

Paige Balducci scored on a penalty kick in the 12th minute and goalie Addison Rudel made five saves as the Wolverines edged visiting San Clemente 1-0 to claim the South Coast League championship.

In capturing its first South Coast League crown since 2020, Aliso Niguel (12-4-5, 5-0-3) earned the penalty shot after a hand ball against San Clemente (14-2-4, 5-1-2).

Aliso Niguel, ranked seventh in Orange County, needed to beat No. 5 San Clemente in the teams’ regular-season finale to win the league championship.

The teams played to a scoreless draw in the first round of league.

In his first season since arriving from Rosary, Melendez has guided Aliso Niguel a league crown and the title at the Best in the West tournament in December.

On Tuesday, the Wolverines won without injured forward Claire Hirakawa, Melendez said.

The CIF-SS playoff pairings will be announced Saturday at 10 a.m.

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