Boys soccer: Stingy Mustangs win tourney title

ANAHEIM - The Costa Mesa High boys soccer team successfully

defended its Magnolia Tournament title with a dominating defense that

produced four shutouts, including a 7-0 victory over Troy in the

championship game Friday.

Mesa freshman Alfonso Pineda scored a hat trick in the second half

over Troy.

Coach Eugene Day’s Mustangs outscored opponents 22-0, in the

tournament. Mesa (5-3) began Friday with a 4-0 semifinal win over Long

Beach Poly (4-6-1), which faced the Mustangs in last year’s Magnolia

Tournament final. Seniors Billy Lund, Kevin Alexander, Eli Solis and

Ricardo Luna netted a goal each, while senior Socrates Cruz had an

assist. The Mustangs outshot the Jackrabbits, 12-6, and Mesa senior

goalkeeper Bryce Sheridan recorded two saves.

To repeat as tourney champions, the Mustangs built a 3-0 halftime lead

against Troy. Lund, Solis and senior Irwin Salas scored one goal each, as

Solis, Lund and Luna assisted, respectively. Solis scored again in the

second half, while Pineda booted in three goals and Cruz served up an

assist.

Mesa outshot the Warriors, 23-4.

“In this tournament we realized what we could do,” Day said. “We

realized we could dominate. (The Mustangs) just played great soccer.

Everyone was a superstar in this tournament.”

Mesa returns to action Monday at 10 a.m., when it hosts Tustin.

The Mustangs junior varsity squad also won the Magnolia Tournament

with a 2-1 victory over Cypress.