Boys soccer: Mesa seeing double

SHERMAN OAKS - The Costa Mesa High boys soccer team had an

unfortunate case of deja vu, playing to a 2-2 tie, then losing, 4-1, on

penalty kicks to host Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the second round of

the CIF Southern Section Division IV playoffs Tuesday.

Last year, the Mustangs were eliminated, 4-2, on penalty kicks to

Bishop Montgomery, also in the second round.

Mesa Coach Eugene Day said his players were prepared for the four

rounds of shooter vs. goalkeeper competition, but they were too nervous.

“It was a successful season,” Day said. “We could have went a little

further in the playoffs, if (the Mustangs) would have put their heads

together and they didn’t do that. They were nervous. They were rushing to

get there, but they forgot to see what’s ahead of them.”

Costa Mesa (14-4-3), the two-time Pacific Coast League champion, was

down, 1-0, midway through the first half, but senior Eli Solis scored off

a pass from senior Socrates Cruz to even the contest.

Notre Dame (15-3-5) opened the second half with another goal to regain

the lead. But then sophomore Benjamin Elias was credited for an own goal

after he looped a free kick from about 25 yards out that bounced off a

Notre Dame player.

The teams went scoreless the rest of the way, and even after two

10-minute overtime periods.

“We had the chances, but we couldn’t put it away,” Day said. “They

really didn’t dominate us, but they had better passing sequences.

Socrates was held out because of a knee injury for a while, but then he

got into the game, sparked everybody and passed the ball.”

Mesa senior Dorien Vanegas made the Mustangs’ lone penalty kick. Day

said Solis’ penalty kick attempt hit the post and Cruz’s shot went wide

right.