Kings of the Pacific Coast

Bryce Alderton

When one player scores three goals in a soccer game it is called a

hat trick. Corona del Mar High senior Chris Ringstrom achieved the

feat Wednesday in the most important boys soccer game of the season

thus far, but a shiny crown for him and his teammates is an even

greater reward.

Needing a win to secure their goal, the Sea Kings jumped out to an

early lead, suffered a minor blow, but shifted into overdrive to

clinch the Pacific Coast League championship with a 5-2 triumph over

rival Northwood on Wednesday at Meadowood Park in the regular-season

finale that oozed of playoff intensity.

The Sea Kings (12-3-6, 7-1-2 in league) held a one-point advantage

over Northwood (12-7-3, 6-3-1) and a two-point edge over Tesoro

heading into Wednesday’s action.

Bodies collided, yellow and red cards were issued, players

routinely slide tackled and goalies dove to make saves.

“There was no way we were going to lose this game,” CdM junior

defender Shane Collins said. “There were very high emotions but we

had to keep under control. We worked hard all year for it and we

earned it.”

Senior forward Danny Whitaker scored twice, both on assists from

Ringstrom, and added an assist to, who else?, Ringstrom.

“I’m so happy,” said Ringstrom, who increased his team-leading

goal total to 18 on the year. “For those that have played here for

four years, this is a great end for us.” Northwood and CdM shared the

league title a year ago.

Whitaker and Ringstrom burst through an often porous Northwood

defense to gain two-one-one advantages and helped CdM build on its

1-0 halftime lead.

One minute into the second half, Ringstrom dribbled around

Northwood’s Michael Flynn and found the near side of the net for his

second goal. Not a minute later, Whitaker made it 3-0 off a pass from

Ringstrom, taking advantage when a Northwood defender was late

getting back.

“[The Timberwolves] left some holes in the defense that Whitaker

and I were able to speed through,” Ringstrom said. “The through balls

that Jeritt Thayer and Julien [Cerutti] placed were perfect.”

But Northwood cut the lead to 3-2 with 12 minutes left when Mike

Reid’s penalty kick one-hopped into the left side of the net.

Officials awarded Northwood the penalty kick after whistling a CdM

player for tripping an opponent within the six-yard box.

“It was a roller coaster at the end,” Collins said. “Toward the

end [Northwood] was trying the long balls to beat us deep, but we

held up well.”

CdM goalkeeper Jay Zimmerman made six saves, including running out

to the top of the 18-yard box to boot a ball away from two oncoming

Northwood forwards.

“Jay has played well for us all year,” CdM Coach Pat Callaghan

said. “Everyone played well.”

Thayer assisted on Ringstrom’s first goal in the 35th minute and,

along with Rubino, patrolled the midfield with precision.

Northwood shifted to more of a forward-dominated strategy in the

second half, especially when Callaghan gave Ringstrom and Whitaker a

rest with a three-goal lead 10 minutes into the second half.

“[The Timberwolves] got two goals out of it, but then I just

pushed the forwards up top,” Callaghan said.

CdM defeated Northwood, 1-0, in the prior meeting this season, a

game Callaghan said his team controlled.

Wednesday’s game was just about finishing chances.

“The odd-man attacks created those chances,” Callaghan said. “To

be the sole league champs with the injuries and number of obstacles

we’ve had this season ... it’s great they are starting to play their

best soccer, which was needed to win this game. They kept playing and

I am proud of them. It was a phenomenal effort.”

The Sea Kings only blemish concerns Cerutti, who received two

yellow cards and is not eligible to play in the Sea Kings’ first CIF

Southern Section Division II playoff game.