Girls soccer: Mesa’s Janti saves the day

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Sharon Day, apparently, is not the only one to worry

about on the Costa Mesa High girls soccer team.

Northwood made the mistake of putting a majority of its focus on Day,

and the Mustangs made the visiting Timberwolves learn a lesson with a 3-2

Pacific Coast League victory Tuesday.

Mesa juniors Tiffany Grondahl and Nichelle Janti teamed for a

sensational goal with 25 minutes remaining, which proved to be the

game-winner.

Grondahl positioned herself between two Northwood defenders and booted

a ball to set up a breakaway for Janti.

“(Grondahl) made a beautiful move to create space for herself,”

Mustangs Coach Dan Johnston said. “She just threaded the needle and

(Janti) was right there.”

Janti finished the assist by stopping the ball to gain control and

launching it into the net.

Mesa held on for the win as goalkeeper Chelsea Soria anchored the

defense. She finished with five saves.

With seven minutes remaining, Mustang senior Katie Roche completed a

key save. She turned back a shot when Soria was out of position to help

the victory.

In the second half, the Mustangs (10-2-2, 2-0-0 in league) exploited

the Timberwolves’ weakness. Northwood (3-9-1, 0-1-1) double-teamed Day,

which proved beneficial for Mesa, offensively and defensively.

“(The Timberwolves) had two players on her all the time,” Johnston

said. “Sometimes they had three. And, she was still getting to the ball.”

Day caused huge problems for Northwood in the first half. But, she

didn’t make her presence known until after the Timberwolves got on the

scoreboard first.

Northwood grabbed the advantage in the opening 10 minutes. The

Timberwolves’ continual attacks on Mesa resulted in Jackie Lamm’s goal.

“We weren’t getting the loose balls,” Johnston said. “Any time you

give a team 20 touches, they’re going to score. They totally outplayed us

in the first 10 minutes.

Mesa, however, fought back. Less than two minutes after Lamm’s goal,

Sarah Smallcomb scored off a rebound.

Then with eight minutes remaining in the first half, Day stole the

ball and raced out in front of the pack and finished.

But, Northwood tied the game, 2-2, two minutes before halftime.

The Mustangs will continue PCL action, Thursday, as they host Laguna

Beach at 3:15.