Sea Kings return with depth

Joseph Boo

CORONA DEL MAR - Corona del Mar High girls soccer Coach Ron Evans

has a problem. It seems he has too many good players.

“It’s lechery,” Evans, in his first year with the girls after coaching

CdM’s boys team, said. “These are the type of problems you want. It’s

nice having depth. We don’t lose anything if there’s an injury or other

problems.”

That’s what happens when a soccer team returning 11 players collides with

a freshman class good enough to get ample playing time.

The key returner is junior goaltender Britta Vogele, first-team All-Sea

View League last year and a rock in front of the goal.

“She’s was an extremely strong keeper last year,” Evans said. “Hopefully,

she can be just as strong this year.”

Forwards Kate Simon and Allison Harvey, both second-team all-league last

year, also return. Simon, a senior, and Harvey, a sophomore, are both

skilled attackers and could be one of the most devastating offenses in

the area. Cinnamon Gulley and Kelly Halley will backup at the forward

spot.

CdM’s attack is led by senior midfielder Julia Livingston. “She has a lot

of up-speed from the midfield,” Evans said. “She can really help our

front-runners, Harvey and Simon.”

Another strong midfielder is sophomore Kristin Hanson, whom Evans

mentions as one of his most talented young players. Juniors Jacqueline

Becker, Natalia Dorfman and Margit Vogele should also help out CdM’s

attack from the midfield.

Senior Jessica Luchesi and junior sweeper Molly O’Meara will lead the

defense in front of Britta Vogele. O’Meara is considered CdM’s leading

backfield player, according to Evans, while Luchesi is considered the

team’s best defensive stopper.

They spearhead a young defense with one sophomore, Alison Brawner, and

two freshmen, Paige Jones and Lauren Shepherdson.

While a team’s reliance on youth might worry some coaches, CdM’s five

incoming freshmen have Evans excited. Jones, Shepherdson, and midfielders

Jennifer Long, Olivia Mazura and Elisha Morgan comprise CdM’s version of

the “fab five.”

“We have a very good incoming freshmen class,” Evans said. “I knew them

since Period 6 soccer. They’re definitely a strength for us, and they’ll

help a ton.”

All this talent makes CdM one of the favorites in its new habitat, the

Pacific Coast League. Despite going 11-6-1, the Sea Kings missed the

playoffs in Division II, and they are determined to change that in

Division III.

“Our goal is to win league, and we have a very good shot,” Evans said.

To win the PCL, the Sea Kings will probably have to get through Laguna

Beach and University.

“We feel pretty confident. If we hit CIF, we’re not going to be just

content. We want to go as far as our potential can get us.”

Roster

GK Britta Vogele Jr.

SW O’Meara, Molly Jr.

D Luchesi, Jessica Sr.

D Alison Brawner So.

D Paige Jones Fr.

D Lauren Shepherdson Fr.

MF Julia Livingston Sr.

MF Jacqueline Becker Jr.

MF Natalia Dorfman Jr.

MF Margit Vogele Jr.

MF Kristin Hanson So.

MF Jennifer Long Fr.

MF Olivia Mazura Fr.

MF Elisha Morgan Fr.

F Kate Simon Sr.

F Allison Harvey So.

F Kelly Halley Sr.

F Cinnamon Gulley Jr.