Girls soccer: Day’s two goals knock out Artists

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Don’t expect the Costa Mesa High girls soccer team to

be like the good Samaritan.

On the contrary, the Mustangs acted as a big bully when they defeated

visiting Laguna Beach, 2-0, in Pacific Coast League action Thursday.

Artists’ Coach Mike Thomas voluntarily started one player short, for

disciplinary reasons. But, the Mustangs (11-2-2, 3-0-0 in league) did not

show mercy as they triggered a barrage of attacks in the opening five

minutes. And in the fifth minute, sophomore sensation Sharon Day scored

her first of two goals.

“We jumped all over them,” Mesa Coach Dan Johnston said of his team’s

start. “It’s OK. Give us any advantage and we’ll take it. Really, it

could’ve been 3-0 by 10 minutes (in). We had three huge chances there.”

Mesa senior Sandra Sparks began the scoring play when she led a nice

pass to Lisa Dunn, who was out on the break. Dunn then found Day open on

her path to the goal and Day finished for the 1-0 advantage.

After Day’s goal, Thomas put in an 11th player. And, the Artists

(5-7-4, 1-1-1) began to match Mesa’s attacking style. They had eight

shots on goal before halftime and grabbed the momentum in the last 10

minutes.

“I’ve had a few issues with my team recently,” Thomas said. “I started

with the 10 players who were the only ones who practiced (Wednesday

night). I was (mad). It probably did cost us the game, but we have to

move on.”

The Mustangs, who had five shots while the Artists were one player

down, eventually outshot the Artists, 23-17.

In the 31st minute, Day tried to sneak one in, but Laguna goalkeeper

Shonna Cobb quickly snagged the ball away. Cobb made highlight-type saves

as she turned back 16 shots.

In the second half, it was Mesa’s Chelsea Soria who made key saves.

She finished with 12 and, perhaps, her best came in the 63rd minute.

Soria slapped at a shot that caromed off the crossbar and she caught it

on the way down.

Throughout the second half, Dunn, Day and Fernanda Velasco spearheaded

the Mustangs with counterattacks. With one minute remaining, Day made the

most of such an opportunity. She sped out on a breakaway and slid to kick

a ball past Cobb. Cobb punched at the ball to slow it down and, as it

bounced to her right, Day extended her left leg to boot the ball into the

empty net.

“I just wanted that goal,” Day said. “I just wanted to get in there,

so I just gave it my all. I was on the ground and I just swiped my leg at

it.”

Said Johnston, “Any time we step on the field, Sharon is a threat.

And, if we’re in a total defensive shell, like we were here, we get one

quick turnaround and a good clear, through speed, she just breaks free.

She’s always dangerous.”

Thomas was also impressed with Day’s performance, as well as the

Mustangs.

“(Mesa) has wonderful team spirit,” Thomas said. “They have an

absolutely wonderful forward, Sharon Day. She always causes trouble for

any team they play. She’s strong, athletic ... the whole nine yards.

Great player. I wish I had her on my team.”

Mesa will play Sunny Hills, the No. 10 team in Orange County, in the

Katella Tournament semifinals Saturday. Then, the Mustangs host Corona

del Mar in a first-place league showdown Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.

“Win,” Day said of her thoughts on the matchup with sixth-ranked CdM

(17-1-2, 3-0-0). “We just need to play our best and play together as a

team and if we do that, I think we can (win).”