Pacific Soccer Club wins tourney

The Corona del Mar-based Pacific Soccer Club girls under-12 team won

the gold medal Sunday by capturing first place at the South Coast

Invitational soccer tournament in Huntington Beach.

The club was led by a strong defensive unit, that allowed just

three goals in four games. The defense was led by Brynn Johnson,

Brooke Nelson and Azadeh Nazemi.

Pacific opened the tournament with a 1-0 victory against Santa

Anita Soccer Club. Melissa Hancock scored the lone goal off an assist

from Maiquel McLeish.

In its second game, Pacific blanked the Riverside Fury 3-0,

launching 13 shots on goal. Alexandra Reinach scored on two of those

shots and McLeish added a goal in the victory.

“This team is very difficult to defend because virtually every

player is a real scoring threat,” Pacific Coach George Eadington

said.

In its first game Sunday, Pacific encountered a physical matchup

against the San Bernardino Blast. But Pacific’s midfielders Paige

Sigband, Claire Eadington, Amanda Johnson and Sarah Keddington

managed to control the realm of play.

After a scoreless first half, the Blast was awarded a penalty kick

late in the second half. But Pacific goalie Corey Cano made a diving

stop of the low kick to keep the game scoreless.

“That was an all-world save by Corey,” Eadington said.

San Bernardino came back with a late-goal, but Pacific came back

to equalize with seconds remaining. Jackie Dion and Hancock shredded

the San Bernardino defense, then found Reinach who scored the tying

goal with a laser shot from outside the penalty area.

Pacific closed out the tournament with a 2-2 tie against Whittier

Soccer Club, clinching the championship. Natalie Argueta and McLeish

each scored for Pacific.

It was the club’s second tournament title this year as it gets

ready for its Coast Soccer League, Silver Division season, which

begins Sept. 6. The team still has two roster spots available and any

interested players can contact Coach Eadington at eadington@aol.com

or 949-795-4000.