Girls soccer: CdM shows pride in comeback
Steve Virgen
IRVINE - Allow Corona del Mar High senior Jaclyn Thayer to explain
how the Sea Kings’ girls soccer team answered a 2-0 halftime deficit with
three goals for a 3-3 tie with Pacific Coast League host University
Thursday.
“We play with heart,” said Thayer, whose goal gave the Sea Kings a 3-2
lead with eight minutes left. “We never give up.”
The pride of the two-time defending PCL champions accounted for three
second-half goals, that all came in an 11-minute span. After being
outshot and outplayed in the first half, CdM (11-4-6. 4-1-3 in the PCL)
retaliated with a 9-2 shot advantage and appeared to be headed for the
victory.
But one minute after Thayer’s goal, which was assisted by junior
Lauren Shepherdson, University (8-6-3, 3-2-3) answered with a goal from
sophomore Taylor Smith, who scored after a free kick from midfield.
CdM, which shares the PCL lead after Northwood’s 3-1 win over Laguna
Beach, tied the game, 2-2, after spectacular goals from sophomore
defender Kinzie Kramer and Shepherdson.
“I was at the right place at the right time,” said Kramer, who scored
in the 61st minute, after a corner kick from Shepherdson. Kramer’s high,
looping shot settled into the corner of the net.
“We were confident,” Kramer said of the Sea Kings’ mood at halftime.
“We were bummed about the score, but we knew in our hearts we could come
back.”
Six minutes after Kramer’s goal, Shepherdson delivered the equalizer.
After junior Alivia Mazura drew a foul, Shepherdson booted the direct
free kick from about 15 yards out. Shepherdson gave a light tap to the
ball that Mazura brushed back to her. Then Shepherdson launched a shot
that bounced off the right post, caromed off the Uni goalkeeper’s hands,
ricocheted against the post and stuck inside the net.
“I’m proud of them,” Coach Ron Evans said of his Sea Kings, ranked No.
4 in CIF Southern Section Division IV. “I told them at the half to, ‘Make
sure you leave today giving your best effort.’ They did that.”
The Trojans, who tied CdM 1-1 Jan. 15, scored in the seventh minute
and in the 25th minute.
“Our team was definitely disappointed,” said Uni Coach Doug Silva, who
was not surprised of his team’s dominating first-half performance. “We’re
a team that doesn’t get a lot of publicity, but we have some great
players. We’ve tied CdM twice and beat Aliso Niguel. This was a great
opportunity for us to grab first (in the PCL). But hand it to CdM, they
came out hard in the second half.”
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