Boys soccer: Bell rivalry a standstill

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - The two coaches met at midfield. Costa Mesa High boys

soccer Coach Eugene Day and Estancia Coach Steve Crenshaw hugged one

another and discussed a great battle of crosstown rivals vying for second

place in the Pacific Coast League.

“That’s what we live for,” Day told Crenshaw who nodded his head in

agreement. Day then said but two words that described a 0-0 tie between

the Eagles and Mustangs on a warm Saturday morning at Mesa’s field.

“Hard core,” he said.

The Mustangs (11-5-2, 5-2-1 in league) played without fear even after

a 2-0 defeat suffered at the hands of the Eagles on Jan. 10. On Saturday, in a makeup game that was canceled because of rain, Mesa displayed a

strong desire to win. And, Estancia (9-4-4, 5-2-1), though a much

different team than last year, performed as champions.

Such is a rivalry game.

“This is fun,” Crenshaw said of the rivalry. “These guys live in the

same town. They play together. They are friends. This is what a rivalry

should be. It was a clean game. It was good soccer. It was two good teams

that fought hard and played with everything they had.”

The Mustangs fired off the first threat in the fifth minute. Mesa

senior Trinidad Hernandez booted a shot, but it was stopped by Eagle

goalie Giovanni Gonzalez who had three saves through the first half. He

was battling the flu and Adam Kapko replaced Gonzalez in the final 40

minutes. Kapko turned back four shots.

Gonzalez nearly let Mesa’s first shot slide through his legs but he

squeezed the ball and picked it up. He left the net five times to prevent

any other Mustang scoring threat.

“We definitely had the better chances,” Day said. “We took it to them.

(The rivalry game is) not just going to be: Estancia (winning). It’s

going to be: who will win this game?”

With five minutes remaining before halftime, Estancia senior Juan

Zarate nearly scored when he sent a shot that was blocked and then

cleared out by Mesa junior Stephen Thomas.

The Mustangs kept the Eagles scoreless with a physical defense and an

ever-improving goalie, Bryce Sheridan.

In the 58th minute, Sheridan sprawled to slap away a shot from

Estancia senior Armando Ortiz. Sheridan finished with seven saves and

left the net three times to stuff the Eagles.

“(Sheridan) was a little shaky at first,” Day said of the goalie’s

play early in the season. “Through the training he’s getting better. Our

defense plays with confidence. Now, he’s more confident.”

The Eagles intensified its attack in the second half as they earned

three cornerkicks. Eleven minutes after halftime, Zarate sent a ball that

was headed for Mesa’s net, but curved wide right.

Mesa senior Falci Bernado kicked a cross to Hernandez, who headed a

ball that hit Estancia’s crossbar and was about to fall into the net, but

Kapko pushed it away with 14 minutes remaining.

Eagles senior Osbaldo Nieves did not play because of a sprained right

ankle suffered Friday in a 3-1 victory over Corona del Mar.

“I was happy we hung in there because we were playing with sick guys

and injuries,” Crenshaw said. “This is the best Mesa team I have ever

seen. And, we’re a young team. Last year’s (Eagles) was a

once-in-a-lifetime team. They just dominated.”

Estancia solidified itself as a real contender for the PCL title. But,

then again, the Mustangs also have a shot at the league championship.

Both teams remain tied for second place; one point behind University

(5-1-1 in league). Estancia ends its league play hosting Northwood and at

Uni. The Eagles lost to both teams in the first round of league play.

Mesa finishes with games at Laguna Beach and CdM. The Mustangs, who

have allowed just four goals and have recorded five shutouts in league

games this season, have already beaten the Artists and the Sea Kings.