Mustangs take care of business

Bryce Alderton

It’s not the length of time Costa Mesa High girls soccer players

patrol the field that counts in Coach Dan Johnston’s mind, but rather

how they use their sometimes precious minutes.

Judging by a 6-0 Golden West League triumph over visiting

crosstown rival Estancia Friday, the Mustangs used their time

efficiently as they tune up for the CIF Southern Section Division III

playoffs, having wrapped up their second consecutive league title

last week.

“We are stepping up a level in all aspects of the game; passing,

communication and speed to make it to the next level and go far,”

said defender Stacy Krikorian, one of seven seniors who played their

final regular-season home game. “We are talking more and made stuff

happen.”

Sophomore Brittany Banning scored two goals while sophomore Jasmin

Day, junior Nilani Duarte, freshman Cindy Mendoza and junior Rachel

Ronquillo each added one goal to lead Mesa (14-5, 11-0 in league), which won its 23rd straight league game dating to last year. The

Mustangs face host Westminster Tuesday with a chance to finish league

play undefeated for a second straight year.

“They moved around and hit each other with feeds with regularity

and that was nice to see,” said Johnston, in his 12th year guiding

the Mustangs, ranked sixth in CIF Division III.

Junior Laura Dinsdale exhibited the precision passing when she

one-touched a ball straight to Duarte in stride within the 18-yard

box and the returning first-team All-CIF selection gave the Mustangs

a 3-0 lead in the 12th minute, the advantage they took into halftime.

Johnston commended the Eagles (1-10 in league) for their tenacity

in the second half.

“Estancia kept playing until the end. [Goalkeeper Marcie

Kirchberg] made some nice saves,” Johnston said. “They have played a

bunch of close games and are on the upswing for sure.”

Kirchberg made 11 saves while sophomore sweeper Marina “Coco”

Abdul, along with freshmen Taylor Brown and Avery Williams, derailed

some Mesa attacks.

“We moved [Abdul] up more [in the second half] and we had more

offense than we had in the past. We were at least [in the Mesa zone]

30% [of the second half],” Jen Hutcheon said.

Johnston put Day, normally a forward, and Ronquillo on defense in

the second half while Krikorian, usually a defender, played forward

and halfback.

“It was fun, different,” Day said of her new assignment. “You

don’t push forward as much [on defense] and you have to keep track of

your player.”

Mendoza took over in goal for Kindra Bailey for the final 14

minutes.

Duarte tallied two assists while Kyla Flores added one. Junior

Jenny Sparks, a second-team All-CIF Division III selection last year,

played in her second straight game after missing two months with a

sprained medial collateral ligament in her right knee.

“I can’t shoot 100% and can’t go into tackles and be aggressive,

but [the knee] is getting stronger,” said Sparks, who wore a knee

brace. “The first game back [Tuesday] I was really pumped up.”

Johnston has routinely referred to the use of players at different

positions this season as “interchangeable parts,” allowing him the

flexibility to experiment with various lineups.

“They get used to going in there for short bursts and having an

impact when they get in there,” Johnston said. “It will make a

difference in CIF if they make the most of the 10 minutes they get.”

“I love all aspects of the field,” Krikorian said.