Junior varsity girls soccer: Sea Kings defend PCL title

CORONA DEL MAR - It seemed only fitting that sophomore Natalie Sims

scored the goal that provided the Corona del Mar High girls junior

varsity soccer team with a 1-0 win over visiting Northwood and the

Pacific Coast League title. Sims, who came off the bench, displayed the

culmination of her improvement this season, as did the Sea Kings, who

outscored opponents, 51-13.

Sims scored with less than two minutes remaining as CdM (11-5-4) won

its second straight PCL title Feb. 7. If the Sea Kings would have lost or

tied, Northwood would have been champion.

“It was an absolute storybook ending for a great season,” CdM Coach

Jennifer Noonan said. “They decided from day one that they wanted to go

out, work hard and do well. We had a lot of team chemistry. The girls

played a more advanced style of soccer. We had a strong freshman class.”

The Sea Kings were led by sophomore team captain Kellie Flint, who

played midfield, as well as junior Christina Taylor, freshman Ahlia

Kattan and sophomore Brooke Burgner. Freshman goalkeeper Katie Schiesser

anchored the defense and allowed just 12 goals during the season.

Noonan, a former CdM standout, played everyone on the team because she

thought that took precedence over winning the PCL title.

“I told them that they should play for themselves and by the time the

game is finished that they have their tanks emptied,” Noonan said.

Noonan also said the Sea Kings were led offensively by their dynamic

duo up top, forwards Elizabeth Almaraz, a sophomore, and Burgner, who,

“assisted and scored more than half of the team’s goals.”

“It was an awesome season, for the girls and for myself,” Noonan said.

“We had a lot of fun. We had as much fun on the field as we did off the

field. We had good chemistry and everyone got along.”