Boys soccer: Estancia wakes up, avoids upset

Steve Virgen

CORONA DEL MAR - It could have been the biggest win of the season

for the Corona del Mar High boys soccer team. Instead, it was business as

usual for Estancia as the visiting Eagles scored two goals in the final

11 minutes and avoided an upset with a 3-1 Pacific Coast League victory

over the Sea Kings Wednesday.

In the 69th minute, Estancia senior Osbaldo Nieves’ header finished a

cross from senior Juan Zarate. Five minutes later, junior Ricardo Garcia,

who took a pass from Armando Ortiz, scored the insurance goal.

“We were pathetic,” Estancia Coach Steve Crenshaw said of his team’s

first-half play. “We beat CdM real badly last year and I think (the

Eagles) just didn’t take this seriously. I told them they had to get

their heads into it. But, they just took (CdM) too lightly.”

CdM (2-7, 0-3-0 in league) displayed intensity throughout and refused

to let down.

But, Estancia (6-2-3, 2-0-0) continually attacked and outshot the Sea

Kings, 15-4, in the second half.

The Eagles appeared to be ready to play from the beginning as it took

just less than two minutes for them to score. Estancia sophomore Javier

Ramirez set up sophomore Javier Millan on an indirect free kick. Millan

finished with a header for the early lead.

But, CdM struck back three minutes later when senior Scott Baker

finished sophomore Tristan Harris’ assist.

In the 13th minute, CdM sophomore Blake Dillion nearly scored off a

corner kick, but his header went wide left.

“I think we were equal to the challenge,” Sea Kings Coach Pat

Callaghan said. “We played hard. We definitely can take something away

from this. We had our chances to go up. The difference was just

execution. We got a little lazy in our marking.”

After, Millan’s goal, the Sea Kings held the Eagles to one goal for 57

minutes. CdM senior Mike Pazzola, sophomore Brandon Zarian and freshman

Chris Ringstron led the defense as they cleared out the Eagles’ scoring

chances. And, Sea King goalkeeper Geoffrey Collier had one of his best

games of the season, collecting 13 saves, nine in the second half.

Protecting a 2-1 lead, the Eagles found security in another goal with

six minutes remaining. Nieves stole a ball and found Pena breaking away

on the wing. Pena then set up Garcia, who connected for the goal.

“Our heads weren’t in this game,” Crenshaw said. “If we want to do

anything this season, we’re going to have to play 80 minutes. Last year,

we took care of business because we knew if we took anyone lightly, that

would be our downfall. These guys have to learn that we have to play 80

minutes of every game.”

CdM senior Tony Samson almost scored in the 63rd minute. He went

one-on-one with Estancia goalkeeper Giovanni Gonzalez, who stopped the

shot for one of his three saves.

Estancia will try to extend its unbeaten streak in the PCL as the

Eagles head to Northwood Friday at 3:15 p.m. The Sea Kings will host

University at the same time Friday.