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.”