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.