Mustangs win again, ho-hum

Barry Faulkner

Cocky is too strong a word, but the Costa Mesa High girls soccer

team’s dominance over Golden West League competition since joining

the circuit last season, is enough to test even the most zealous

competitor’s tolerance for complacency.

Still, Mustangs Coach Dan Johnston said boredom, self-satisfaction

or any variation of the same theme, has yet to penetrate the

protective coat of humility he continually administers to his

players.

It was apparent during Monday’s 2-0 league win at Santa Ana High,

however, that Johnston’s motivational mission may be the most

compelling adversary any Mustang will face until the CIF Southern

Section playoffs.

“[Complacency] shouldn’t have been a factor today, considering as

good a game as [the Saints] gave us last time [a 3-0 league-opening

triumph Dec. 18],” Johnston said. “And I don’t think it was.”

But Johnston continually provided strong verbal reminders to his

defenders that their casual play was not appreciated. He addressed

the same issue after the contest, which upped Mesa’s league winning

steak to 19 games. Costa Mesa has now outscored league foes, 107-3,

during that stretch, including 16 shutouts. The only goals opponents

have scored have come in three games the Mustangs have won by at

least eight goals.

“I thought our first half was pretty weak,” said Johnston, whose

defending CIF Division III co-champions improved to 10-5, 7-0 in

league. “The second half, we did much better, but I wasn’t tickled

with our defense. We didn’t get back a few times in transition,

because we were too caught up in our offense. If we make those same

mistakes against a team with a strong offensive transition, we’re

going to be hurting.”

The Saints, now 2-3-3 in league, fashioned nothing in the way of

discomfort for the visitors in the opening 40 minutes, as the

Mustangs outshot Santa Ana, 11-0.

Costa Mesa seized the lead in the ninth minute, when sophomore

forward Jasmin Day took a through ball from teammate Gaby Piwko near

the sideline at midfield. The speedy Day one-touched around a lone

defender, carried in and beat the deserted goalkeeper with a rolling

shot to the near post, taking most of the suspense over the outcome

with it.

“That was a beautiful, clean goal,” Johnston said.

Santa Ana managed the first of its four shots in the 56th minute,

but only two saves were required from Mustang goalie Kindra Bailey,

neither of which were more than bending down to pick up a

slow-rolling attempt from outside the 18-yard box.

Alternating sweepers Rachel Ronquillo, a junior, and Kara Jenkins,

a senior, were solid defensively, as were senior fullbacks Sara

Bryant and Julie Nomura.

Midfielders Stacy Krikorian, a senior, and Nilani Duarte, a

junior, were also consistent catalysts, helping Mesa finish with a

19-4 shot advantage.

Duarte capped the scoring in the 72nd minute, capitalizing on a

loose ball in front created when freshman Caitlin Duffy powered the

ball through a cluster of defenders just inside the box. The ball

popped free about 8 yards in front of the goal and Duarte beat

teammate Kyla Flores to it, booming a low drive into the net.

Flores, a sophomore, was another bright spot for the winners,

displaying quickness and desire from several positions.

Employing players at different positions, including continually

shuttling new players into the game, is a Johnston staple. Johnston

admits part of the plan involves keeping his girls interested as they

steamroll their way through league play.

“Another reason I do it, is to try to find which girls really want

to play that day,” he said.

Johnston said remaining road games this week against Saddleback

(Wednesday) and Ocean View (Friday), both contenders to earn one of

the league’s three guaranteed playoff spots, should continue to hold

his team’s interest.

Unfortunately, Johnston said, that attention must also be shared

with semester finals.

“The only week we have three games is our finals week,” Johnston

lamented. “I don’t know who made the schedule, but whoever it was,

they should be shot.”