Girls soccer: Day glows for Mesa

COSTA MESA - The Costa Mesa High girls soccer team combined what

Coach Dan Johnston termed “a total team effort” with some individual

heroics by junior Sharon Day to earn a 2-1 Pacific Coast League home win

over University Thursday.

Day followed her own chip into the box to produce the game’s first

goal in the 20th minute. She then dribbled from midfield, through a pack

of defenders, before launching a shot into the net to double the lead in

the 68th minute.

Uni scored five minutes later, but the Mustangs (10-4-3, 3-1-2 in the

PCL) held the Trojans (8-7-1, 3-2-1) off to leapfrog them into a tie for

first place with Corona del Mar.

Senior Sarah Ronquillo filled in well at sweeper for junior Devin

Denman, who left the game for good in the fifth minute with a thigh

bruise.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Gentling had five saves and freshman stopper Nilani

Duarte also stood out defensively for the winners.

Day now has a team-leading 14 goals.

The Mustangs attempt to avenge a 2-0 first-round PCL loss when they

visit Northwood Tuesday.