Sea Kings topple Santa Ana Valley
Bryce Alderton
Hard work put in by the Corona del Mar boys soccer team was
evident Wednesday afternoon.
The host Sea Kings (2-0) defeated Santa Ana Valley, 3-1, in a
nonleague matchup that showcased CdM’s energy. Corona defeated Ocean
View, 3-2, for its first win.
“I was happy with the defensive effort, we were solid (in the
backfield),” Callaghan said. “I was disappointed with the late goal
because we deserved a shutout, but we had a letdown on a free kick.
The guys worked hard and I’m very proud of them.”
The Sea Kings sprang to a 3-0 lead and control of the game on
goals from juniors Chris Ringstrom, Danny Whitaker and sophomore
Grant Almquist. Ringstrom now has three goals on the season and
assisted on Whitaker’s and Almquist’s goals.
“We played well as a team,” said Ringstrom, a third-year varsity
member.
Corona received solid defensive efforts from a number of players
including Blake Dillion, Brandon Barrett, Parker Ferguson, Jerritt
Thayer, Shane Collins and Brandon Zarian, while Julian Cerutti
covered most of the field, racing down loose balls and assisting on
Ringstrom’s goal to give the Sea Kings a 1-0 lead.
“I made the run and (Cerutti) slotted it to me,” said Ringstrom
describing his goal. “The goalie came out and I put it to the side of
(the net).”
Both teams took three shots on goal in the first half, with CdM
goalkeeper Phil Stemler making two saves before giving way to Jay
Zimmerman in the second half. Zimmerman made two saves on five Falcon
shots in the second half while the Sea Kings managed to boot seven
shots on Valley goalkeeper Jonathan Maldonado.
Zimmerman caught a header for one of his two saves and immediately
threw the ball downfield to CdM players spreading out to their
positions.
Zarian took control at midfield and raced up the left side. He
passed to Ringstrom, who dribbled the ball to the corner before a
cross pass found Whitaker and the junior forward headed the ball in
for a 2-0 Sea King lead in the 11th minute in the second half.
The Sea Kings withstood three Falcons’ shots following Whitaker’s
goal and scored their third goal in the 31st minute. Ringstrom
crossed left to Almquist, who booted the ball on the ground between
two defenders from about 22 yards out into the left part of the net.
Valley scored its lone goal on a header by Cesar Sanchez off a
centering pass from Adrian Vargas in the 32nd minute.
CdM hustled to loose balls the entire game and passed crisply on
occasion to get shot attempts.
“I’d say (defense) is one of our strengths,” Callaghan said. “We
are quick and scrappy and play real hard. If we maintain our
intensity and focus, we will improve each time we play.”
Whitaker and Cerutti combined for a give-and-go in the first half.
Cerutti kicked the ball to Whitaker, running alongside to Cerutti’s
right, and Whitaker promptly centered a pass back to Cerutti for a
shot that hugged the grass before rolling wide left.
“Good hustle ‘Ju-Ju,’” said Callaghan about Cerutti following the
shot attempt.
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