TEMECULA —— An era will end tonight. Jenny Lawlor, who founded the Chaparral girls soccer program eight years ago, will coach her last match for the Pumas when they face Ventura Buena in the CIF-Southern Section Division II final at 5 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton.

The Pumas' appearance in the title game is their first.

"It's like a fairy-tale ending," Lawlor said. "Obviously, I wish we were in the finals every year, but the fact that it's my last year makes it special.

"That it happened, without a doubt, is (because of) this group of girls. They're all great kids who want to work. They set a goal and stuck together, and they're relentless in making it happen."

Lawlor was hired in 1997 as an admittedly cocky 19-year-old just two years out of Temecula Valley High School. She said that, though she coached club soccer and Temecula's JV team, Pumas athletic director Mike Rowan took a chance when he bestowed upon her the responsibility of starting the then-new school's soccer program.

Rowan said he spotted in Lawlor, even at that young age, the qualities that make a successful coach.

"I saw the enthusiasm, I saw the maturity, and I saw the passion for the game," Rowan said. "We're very happy with her. She's done an excellent job."

Lawlor said she came to the job overconfident because she had more experience in the game than most high school coaches. She grew up playing club soccer, played two years at Palomar College and transferred to San Diego State before two knee surgeries cut her career short.

The former Golden Bears player —— who now says she feels "100 percent Puma" —— came to Chaparral with a simple but ambitious goal: to win a section title.

Starting with the first season, when the Pumas won their league with just sophomores and freshmen, Lawlor built Chaparral into a perennial playoff participant and area power. Her ultimate goal, however, eluded her and through the years, the enormity of the job has brought the now 27-year-old Lawlor down to earth.

"I was humbled by the amount of work and time it takes," Lawlor said. "(High school) is the most difficult level to coach. It's difficult because the girls are at a special age, so it's personality management. The girls are burnt out from club soccer, and they go from training a couple of days a week to training every day.

"I like that challenge, but it's humbling."

One of Lawlor's biggest strengths, according to her team, is building camaraderie.

"She's really good at getting the team to bond and she's really good about stuff outside the game," senior Lynsie Burg, a three-year varsity player, said. "We do things together all the time."

Lawlor said she emphasizes team unity so that, no matter how successful the team is, every player enjoys the experience. But in doing that, the coach must walk that fine line between friend and authority figure.

By all accounts, Lawlor has achieved the right balance. Chaparral's players speak fondly of their coach, but they also appreciate that she has driven them to excel.

"I like how she pushes us really hard," said senior Lauren Harrison, who has played four years on varsity. "She's one of our friends, but she's also really strict. We respect her a lot because we're close to her, so we want to work hard for her."

Added senior Tessa Lennala, another four-year varsity player: "She's such a straight forward coach, and I love how she gets close with the girls. She's able to bond with us, but she knows when to take it seriously and when to have fun.

"She's found the right spot."

Lawlor intended that spot to continue to be with Chaparral until last year, when she got a call from Cem Tont, her former coach at Palomar. Tont had resigned from his position at Palomar and encouraged Lawlor to apply for the job.

When Lawlor was hired to coach Palomar's women's team last fall, she wanted to continue at Southwest Soccer Club, where she has coached for years, and at Chaparral. But her schedule became so busy that she had no time left for a personal life —— a problem for a woman who has ambitions outside the game —— so she decided to leave Chaparral after the season.

"I was going to power through the busy schedule for one year, but I can't continue," Lawlor said. "I want to be a mom. That's my goal in life."

Now, as Lawlor prepares for her final game with the program she built, she finally has the opportunity to reach her elusive goal.

So how does she feel?

"I'm still in shock," Lawlor said. "I'm excited about it, but I feel foggy. It came so fast. Every high school coach strives for this, and now it's here.

"Amazing. It's just such a privilege to be on the field in such a big game."

Ed Wehde can be reached at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2633 or ewehde@californian.com.