CdM grabs inside lane

When titans clash and the best of the best collide, something has

got to give. In Super Bowl XXXVII, it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’

defense that led to the win over the Oakland Raiders. In the girls

soccer matchup of Pacific Coast League unbeatens Corona del Mar High

and Northwood, experience made the difference.

CdM senior Elisha Morgan, who missed nearly a month because of

strained lower back, scored a goal and added an assist to help lead

the Sea Kings to a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over visiting

Northwood. This was Morgan’s third week in action since the injury

she suffered Dec. 12.

“We outplayed (Northwood) the whole game,” said CdM Coach Bryan

Middleton, whose team improved to 8-3-1, 5-0-0 in league. “I told the

girls during halftime that we were dominating the game. We just had

to crash the box. This win shows that we’re the top team in the PCL.

I really don’t worry about rankings. I’m just concerned about the

girls’ performance on the field.”

Northwood (9-4-4, 4-1-0) gained the upper hand early, when

sophomore Caitlin Schneider scored in the first minute. But CdM

answered with a goal one minute before halftime after senior Paige

Janes delivered a booming free kick from near midfield. The ball

bounced close to Northwood’s net, as Morgan touched it over to senior

Alivia Mazura, who scored the goal.

Then one minute into the second half, Morgan headed in a goal

after a picture-perfect cross from her younger sister, Kelly, a

freshman. Kelly Morgan sent a far cross from the corner and the ball

grazed CdM senior Jenny Long before Elisha Morgan put it away.

“That was some sisterly love,” the elder Morgan said. “We knew

this was going to be our No. 1 game in league. Both teams wanted to

win. We had a talk before this game and we just focused on winning.”

The Sea Kings feature seven seniors, all of whom play vital roles

for CdM, the three-time defending champion of the PCL. They would

have eight seniors, but Lauren Shepherdson, last year’s PCL Co-MVP,

is out for the season with a broken ankle. Senior Christina Taylor

battled through bumps and bruises Tuesday. Janes, the Sea Kings’

sweeper, bailed out CdM on several instances, Mazura caused

frustration for the Timberwolves, Long provided speed on the outside

and Lauren Loe displayed hustle, as she seemed to be everywhere on

the field. Elisha Morgan put the finishing touch with her assist and

game-winning goal.

“They’re more experienced and they have a senior-laden team,”

Northwood Coach Steven Tatone said. “I don’t think they played their

best game and they still won. That says a lot about their

experience.”

The Sea Kings were not all about their seniors Tuesday, as

evidenced with Kelly Morgan’s assist to her elder sister. CdM junior

Kinzie Kramer provided a game-saving play. With the Sea Kings

protecting a 2-1 lead, Kramer stuffed a Northwood breakaway

opportunity and helped sophomore goalie Tanisha Senaratne record one

of her five saves.

Northwood sophomore Milada Rakijan created a breakaway by

dribbling through CdM’s last defender before Senaratne. But, Kramer

used her speed to come from behind and slid to block Rakijan’s shot.