Girls soccer: Local uprising continues

Barry Faulkner

Like an old jalopy that had its odometer rolled back, the turn of

the new millennium certainly enhanced the value of girls soccer programs

at Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa and Newport Harbor high schools.

The end of the 1999 league schedule marked the eighth straight year

CdM had missed the playoffs and the sixth straight postseason absence for

Newport Harbor. Costa Mesa, as it had in every season before that, also

missed the playoffs.

But since, CdM has won three straight Pacific Coast League crowns and

twice advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division IV semifinals. Mesa

made its first two CIF playoff appearances, while Newport, after

extending its playoff drought to seven years in 2000, produced the

program’s first two playoff victories last year.

All three are not only back in the playoffs this season, but expected

to continue to progress.

Newport Harbor (11-6-4), which battled for a Sea View crown before

finishing tied for second (it won the tie-breaker with Woodbridge), is

the No. 3 seed in Division II. The Sailors, who defeated CdM and

Woodbridge for the first time in five seasons this year, host University

(10-7-3), in Saturday’s first round.

CdM (12-4-7) opens Division IV play as the No. 4 seed Saturday, when

it will host Los Altos (14-8-4).

Costa Mesa (12-5-4), which emerged from an intensely competitive PCL

campaign tied for second (it also won its tie-breaker with University),

visits Garden Grove League champion Pacifica (14-6) in its Division IV

opener Saturday.

All games are tentatively scheduled for 3 p.m.

Coach Jason Sorrell’s Sailors enter the playoffs on a seven-game

unbeaten streak, during which they have not allowed a goal.

After a 1-0 Sea View-opening loss to Aliso Niguel, the Tars’ defense,

anchored by senior sweeper Taryn Flamson, freshman stopper Erin Hardy,

senior fullbacks Kristin Nahin and Lauren Birchfield, as well as

sophomore goalie Kara DeMille, has been impenetrable.

While the defense has done its job, junior Amy Burlingham, senior

fellow forward Amy Ross, and senior midfielder Tory Manchester, are among

those who have helped the offense outscore opponents, 26-21 overall,

25-10 since an 0-4-1 start.

University lost only to Costa Mesa in PCL play. Coach Doug Silva’s

Trojans have outscored opponents, 46-27, and recorded seven shutouts.

CdM, which entered last year’s playoffs as the No. 1 seed, needs three

wins to earn a potential semifinal rematch with top-seeded

Harvard-Westlake, which eliminated the Sea Kings last year.

Coach Ron Evans said he knew nothing about Los Altos, except that they

finished third in the Miramonte League.

CdM, which includes All-CIF returners Alisha Morgan, Allison Harvey,

Paige Janes and Lauren Shepherdson, has outscored opponents, 66-18, this

season. But half the Sea Kings’ goals came in three lopsided wins against

Estancia (twice) and St. Margaret’s.

Freshman goalie Rachel Waters has helped produce 10 shutouts and only

University has scored more than two goals in one game against the Sea

Kings.

Coach Dan Johnston’s Costa Mesa squad, keyed by offensive balance and

a now-trademark defensive consistency, has outscored foes, 71-28, with

eight shutouts.

Veteran standouts Devin Denman, Sharon Day and Nichelle Janti have

been joined by emerging stalwarts Jenny Sparks and Rachel Ronquillo, both

freshmen, sophomore goalie Kaitlyn Gentling, as well as senior Sarah

Ronquillo.

The Mustangs have been eliminated in the first round the last two

years, falling, 2-0, to powerful Bishop Montgomery in 2001 and losing

last year, 4-0, at Diamond Ranch.

Should Newport defeat Uni, it would meet either Riverside Poly

(15-3-7) or Hemet (15-9-1) in the second round Feb. 20.

A victory would propel CdM into the second round against either Ocean

View (18-8-3) or the winner of Wednesday’s wild-card clash between

Ganesha (14-7-1) and Yucca Valley (10-8-2).

Should Mesa earn the first playoff win in school history Saturday, it

would advance four days later to face either Bassett (15-4-1) or the

wild-card winner between Louisville (16-5-1) and Cabrillo of Lompoc

(10-11-3).

Bonita (26-1-1) is the No. 2 seed in Division IV, where Chaminade

(19-5-1) is the No. 3 seed.

Edison, which eliminated Newport last year, is the No. 1 seed in

Division II, with Canyon of Canyon Country (No. 2) and Walnut (No. 4)

rounding out the seeds.

The championship game in both divisions is scheduled March 2.