Reversal of fortune

Joseph Boo

CORONA DEL MAR - Former Corona del Mar High varsity girls soccer

coach Walid Khoury said when he resigned after last season, the program

would be a dynasty. His statement looks pretty good this year, as the

varsity team has lost only one game all year to powerhouse Woodbridge.

But the JV team has topped the varsity team so far, The Sea Kings are

undefeated at 7-0-4, including a 1-0 win over Woodbridge’s JV squad. This

is in stark contrast to last year, when CdM failed to win a single game,

and scoring a goal was an ordeal.

When first-year coach Jennifer Noonan walked in to take the helm of the

JV team, a quick turnaround was not expected. Instead, the team has gone

180 degrees in the opposite direction.

“Well, I’m really surprised,” Noonan said. “Last year, the JV team didn’t

win a game.”

Thirteen of the 19 players on the team are juniors and most of them were

on last year’s team. That means that the team was capable of winning

games last year. This year, a new commitment to winning has taken effect.

“This is a team with a lot of talent,” Noonan said, “and the girls made a

commitment to the team. The difference this year is that these girls want

to win and they’re focused on that goal.”

This change in attitude led to CdM unlocking its talent and fashioning an

undefeated season after 11 games.

CdM’s success came from defense. Junior goalie Brittany Rosenblatt has

seven shutouts this year.

A large part of Rosenblatt’s defense comes from a back line, led by

Lauren Loe and Jaclyn Thayer. Senior co-captain Michele Nelson, Amy

Tyson, Victoria Quinlan, Julian Ukropina and Christina Taylor are

additional defenders.

Not to say the Sea Kings can’t score. Forward Brittany Minna scored a hat

trick this season. Minna and Stephanie Hardison, both juniors, have been

a dangerous pair in the forward spots. Sophomore Megan Curry also plays

forward.

Mifdielders Samantha Cohen, Astrid Soto and Jana Luebke have also played

well offensively, according to Noonan. Tricia Doran and Adele Koetting

are two more offensive midfielders, while Courtney Conwell, Vanessa Cohen

and Lacy Horning play further back in the midfield.

The Sea Kings have hit the holiday lull in their schedule, and they don’t

play until Jan. 4, against Edison. Then, their Pacific Coast League

schedule starts. While CdM is undefeated in its first 11 games, it is the

PCL the Sea Kings want to conquer.

“Our goal is to be PCL champions,” Noonan said. “And we have to work hard

and do the little things to accomplish it.”