Girls soccer: So Long Giants

Steve Virgen

POMONA - Ganesha High girls soccer coach Charlie Turnbull said he

would use one player to mark -- solely defend -- Corona del Mar’s Kristin

Hanson, “because she scored three goals in their win (over Los Altos

Saturday).”

Perhaps, Turnbull would have been better served to cover Jenny Long or

even Elisha Morgan Wednesday. The duo teamed up for the Sea Kings’ first

goal in CdM’s 2-0 win over the host Giants in the second round of the CIF

Southern Section Division IV playoffs.

Turnbull was also surprised to see CdM seniors Allison Harvey and

Stephanie Hardison come off the bench in the second half and team up for

the Sea Kings’ second goal.

CdM (14-4-7), the three-time Pacific Coast League champion, advances

to Friday’s quarterfinals and will face Oak Park, a winner in penalty

kicks over South Pasadena, at a site to be determined by a coin flip

today.

“We came ready to play and we came ready to win,” Long said.

Long, a junior playing outside forward, continuously worked the sides

and served up several crosses, including one that led to a goal in the

26th minute. She booted a high looping cross that Hanson actually missed

when trying to kick it, but Morgan stepped up and struck the ball to the

back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

“(Long) played a superb game,” CdM Coach Ron Evans said. “I thought we

could get by (Ganesha). To be honest, I was more concerned with Friday.

But you never really look past your opponent. The injuries are now a

concern for us.”

CdM senior Alison Brawner, who starts at midfield, and junior Alivia

Mazura, a starting forward, both injured their ankles.

Brawner was injured before Morgan’s goal in the first half near

Ganesha’s sideline and Evans walked over and carried her over to his

sideline for treatment. Freshman Tanisha Senaratne filled in for her.

Mazura, who dislocated her shoulder in November, injured her ankle in

the second half. Haridson came in for her and, one minute later, she

assisted on Harvey’s goal.

Harvey, last year’s PCL co-Most Valuable Player, sat the entire first

half and nine minutes into the second half because Evans said she is

pacing herself from pains of a leg injury. She helped the Sea Kings with

the insurance goal and played alongside senior forward Jaclyn Thayer, who

was also helpful in CdM’s attacking mode.

CdM freshman goalkeeper Rachel Waters recorded three saves and left

the net six times to stuff the Giants, including once when she collided

into a Ganesha player to end a scoring chance.

Waters, who also led counterattacks with her punting and goal kicks,

was supported by sweeper Paige Janes, Kinzie Kramer, Lauren Shepherdson

and Vanessa Fallon, who helped the Sea Kings produce another shutout in

the playoffs.

Morgan, a two-time first-team All-CIF and all-league selection,

underwent knee surgery in November and returned in January. Ever since,

Evans said she has shown improvements with each game.

The Sea Kings, seeded No. 4 in the Division IV playoffs, outshot

Ganesha, 22-5, including 12-2 in the first half. The Giants (16-8-1)

never really threatened to score, yet intensified their play in the

second half.