Lincoln puts up brick wall

Bryce Alderton

The net stayed put, but the Mariners Christian boys fifth- and

sixth-grade soccer team must have felt as if it were shooting at a

moving target in its gold division game against Lincoln Wednesday in

the Daily Pilot Cup.

Mariners Christian spent most of the second half in the attacking

zone, but a fresh Lincoln defense anchored by goalkeeper Hunter Lewis

turned away numerous scoring chances to preserve a 3-1 victory at the Costa Mesa Farm Sports Complex.

Mariners Christian fired 12 of its 14 shots in the second half

compared to Lincoln’s three shots in the final 30 minutes and eight

for the game.

“That is the way soccer is,” Mariners Christian Coach Brad Webster

said. “[Lewis] made some great saves.”

Lewis made six saves behind a defense that was tested, but

persevered.

“In the second half we switched around players because we were

getting a bit tired,” Lincoln Coach Sasan Sadri said.

Lincoln’s defense helped preserve a 1-0 halftime lead that

increased to 3-0 before Mariners Christian, who tied Our Lady Queen

of Angels, 3-3, in Tuesday’s opener, scored a goal on a penalty kick

in the final seconds.

Lincoln, nicknamed the Leopards, scored its second goal six

minutes into the second half on a penalty shot after a Mariners

Christian defender tripped Reed Williams from behind within the

18-yard box.

Sebastien Welch took the penalty shot for Williams, who was shaken

up on the play, and sent the left-footed blast into the right side of

the net.

Williams scored Lincoln’s third goal 23 minutes later, using some

staunch dribbling skills.

Nick Gooding started the break near midfield and sent a pass to

Williams, who dribbled up the middle a few steps before faking to the

left and sending a soft roller from 15 yards out into the right-hand

side of the goal.

The Mariners Christian Dolphins answered nearly a minute later on

Austin Webster’s penalty-kick goal after forward Chase Nugent drew a

foul within the 18-yard box.

Williams used long strides to often break free, causing Mariners

Christian coaches Brad Webster and Bob Nugent to adjust their

defensive strategy.

“We put Drew [Diller] to mark [Williams] up more and to try to

close the gaps on the midfield,” Webster said. “[Williams] is very

fast. He got through there quickly.”

But Williams had done some early damage in the game’s first 10

minutes. Williams sped past the midfield and received a lob in

stride. Mariners Christian goalkeeper Nico Napitalano slid out near

the top of the six-yard box to deflect the shot, but Tyler Kring was

there to place the rebound into the right side of the net for an

early 1-0 lead.

“That was all [Williams],” Kring said moments afterward on the

sidelines.

Lincoln didn’t find as many scoring chances in the second half,

instead needing to rely on its defense.

With Lincoln leading, 2-0, Mariners Christian’s Michael Gill sent

a shot that hit the top-left corner of the post and deflected into a

sea of kicking legs. Lewis leaped from the crowd to grab the ball and

thwart the attack.

Lewis again came up with a critical stop 20 minutes later.

Austin Webster’s free kick from 25 yards away was deflected toward

teammate Chase Nugent, struggling to maintain his balance. Nugent got

most of his foot into the shot, but Lewis slid out of the goal to

gobble up another opportunity.