Girls soccer: CdM has arrived

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - Some people call them statement games, an

opportunity for a team to prove its worth. In the Corona del Mar

High-Santa Margarita girls soccer matchup, Tuesday, some team was bound

to put up or shut up.

With two goals in a wild first half, the Sea Kings made their

statement with a 2-1 win over Santa Margarita, ranked No. 3 in Orange

County. The second half would be even more wild.

“(This win) better put us in the Top 10,” said Kristin Hanson, who

scored CdM’s second goal. “It shows that we can compete with the best of

them.”

If last year’s CIF playoff appearance was the Sea Kings’ coming-out

party, then the win over Santa Margarita was proof they have arrived.

“(Santa Margarita is) probably the toughest team we’ll face this

season,” Sea Kings’ Coach Ron Evans said. “Our girls really rose to the

occasion. They came out and played to win.”

CdM (4-1) was quick to make to its statement.

Just four minutes into the game, CdM’s Elisha Morgan scored off a

rebound from Lauren Shepardson’s shot. And then, six minutes later,

Hanson struck for her goal when she finished Allison Harvey’s pass.

Despite the 2-0 deficit, the Eagles (1-1) controlled the first half.

They outshot the Sea Kings, 13-5, but CdM goalie Britta Vogele stopped

Santa Margarita’s chances. She finished with 10 saves.

The Eagles’ relentless attack in the first half did result in one

goal. In the 31st minute, Shannon Foley, who wowed the crowd with

somersault throw-ins, tipped in Lisa Perrotta’s shot attempt.

But, the 2-1 advantage had the Sea Kings confident and they carried

momentum into a second half which had that playoff-type atmosphere.

Play stopped three times in the second half for injuries. Evans was

warned for talking back to an official. And players from both teams

challenged officials on some calls.

Though Santa Margarita hardly threatened offensively, the battle

seemed to go back and forth. And CdM would not give in.

“I don’t think the calls were going our way,” Evans said. “The girls

didn’t worry about that. They rose above that. We gave up the one goal in

the second half. (This win) says something about the character of our

team.”

Said CdM captain Molly O’Meara, “The win says we play with a lot of

heart. Everyone plays together.”

In the 10th minute, Santa Margarita had a chance to tie the score.

After a CdM foul, the Eagles attempted a direct kick 20 yards in front of

the net. But the attempt was quickly turned back by the Sea Kings.

An official warned Evans for disputing the foul call. The official’s

judgment did not effect CdM’s quest to make its statement.

“If he’s going to make those calls, I’m just going to keep playing,”

O’Meara said. “That’s why we pull through and win.”