Girls soccer: Mustangs post first playoff win in school history

GARDEN GROVE - The Costa Mesa High girls soccer team looked to two

freshmen and two sophomores to record the first playoff win in the

school’s history Saturday. Freshmen Nilani Duarte and Jenny Sparks and

sophomore Julie Nomura scored a goal each, while sophomore goalkeeper

Kaitlyn Gentling came up with a save that shifted momentum, leading to a

3-1 victory over host Pacifica in the first round of the CIF Southern

Section Division IV playoffs.

Coach Dan Johnston’s Mustangs (13-5-4) earned a 1-0 lead after Duarte

scored off an assist from junior Sharon Day. Sparks’ goal in the second

half, after an assist from senior Sarah Ronquillo, gave Mesa a 2-0 edge.

But Pacifica (14-7), the Garden Grove League champion, struck back.

The Mariners nearly tied the score if it were not for the heroics of

Gentling. Johnston said Gentling (seven saves) made a spectacular save.

“That play really fired us up,” Johnston said. “We scored after that.

(Nomura) came running up from stopper and put it home. This is our first

playoff win and it feels great. We enjoyed it very much on the ride home.

Last year, we had the long ride back (after 4-0 loss at Diamond Ranch).

This ride was so much nicer.”

The Mustangs will play Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the second round against

Louisville or Bassett at a site to be determined.