AYSO Region 120: Courage prevails under pressure

The Costa Mesa Courage girls under-12 Gold All-Star soccer team

from AYSO Region 120 shut out Newport Beach, 1-0.

Lucey Lozano scored on a left-footed shot to give Costa Mesa the

advantage. She was supported on offense by Jenna Tanner and Chantel

O’Toole.

Contributing in midfield were Olivia Clark, Julia Tasedan, Cori

Chapin, Cori Patelski and Alex Payzant.

The Courage defense of Marissa Arellano, Karissa Jones, Madeline

Stack, Mariah Bailey and goalkeeper Diana Gonzalez held the opposition

scoreless.

In another game, Costa Mesa was defeated by North Irvine. Tanner

scored Costa Mesa’s only goal with an assist from Clark.

In boys under-14 Silver All-Star action:

* Costa Mesa came out on top in both of its pool play games. Heading

up the Mesa defense were goalkeepers Luiz Cozza, Blake Pinto, Trevor

McDonald and Matt Grella with support from Josh Knauer and Kyle

Thorsness.

In a 6-1 victory over South Irvine, Alberto Nava scored on a cross

from Blake Pinto. Benny Edles and McDonald scored to give Mesa a 3-0

halftime lead. Cozza scored twice in the second half and McDonald had one

goal with an assist from Austin Evett to seal the win.

In a win over North Irvine, Evett scored with an assist from McDonald

to open the game. Minutes later, Nava converted on a direct free kick and

McDonald closed out the half with Mesa’s third goal.

Pinto opened the second half with a goal on a cross from Kenneth Zich

and Edles finished things off by finding the back of the net for Mesa.

The Mesa offense was led by Edles and Evett with midfield support from

Zich, Nava, Rigo Miranda and William Briseno.

In girls Silver All-Star action:

* The Costa Mesa Army Chicks shut out South Irvine, 1-0. Alyssa Nunez

scored on a breakaway to give the Chicks the advantage. The offense was

anchored by Allie Whipple, Abby Schaefer and Taylor West. Contributing in

midfield were Aubrey Brown, Sam Strodel and Jamie Surdyka. Goalkeeper

Jessica Rubright made key saves. The defense was led by Sabra Tellez,

Shelby Ferris, Amy Holt and Bean Smith. Sweeper Carlee Tuppan and

goalkeeper Alexa Aguilar had solid efforts.