Kaiser comes back strong

Barry Faulkner

A short memory can be a blessing of youth, which was glaringly

apparent for the Kaiser Elementary fifth- and sixth-grade girls

soccer team in Thursday’s gold division, pool B action against

TeWinkle at the Costa Mesa Farm Sports Complex.

The Knights, who were defeated, 1-0, Wednesday by Mariners

Christian in the pool opener, showed no ill effects. The red-shirted

Kaiser squad, in fact, opened the scoring in the third minute and

tallied again in the ninth minute, for all it would need in a 6-1

victory.

Brianna Truxton scored twice for the winners, who received scoring

contributions from four others, as their offensive pressure

overwhelmed the Trojans.

“After losing yesterday, our girls came out strong and were very

positive,” Kaiser Coach Marco Argueta said.

Blakeley Ficenec opened the scoring barrage, firing a shot into

the far corner to give the Knights a lead they wound never

relinquish.

Shannon Wagner boomed a shot into the upper portion of the net

from about 15 yards out for the second goal and Megan Khademi found

the net for a 3-0 cushion about five minutes before halftime.

Truxton opened the second-half scoring with a breakaway goal in

the 28th minute, then picked up the assist on Monique Burns’ goal

five minutes later.

Blakeley set up Truxton’s second goal, on which Truxton converted

a tough angle to give the goalie no chance. Blakeley’s deft pass from

the wing to the far post gave Truxton an open look.

TeWinkle’s Debra Martinez scored in the 41st minute on a penalty

kick to avert the shutout and post the Trojans’ first goal in two

tournament games. TeWinkle fell to Eastbluff Elementary, 5-0, in its

opener Wednesday.

Though they did not score, Natalie Argueta and Lexi McCardle were

both offensive catalysts for Kaiser.

Using her supreme speed, Argueta dribbled through the defense

along the left flank several times, before setting up her teammates

in front of the goal.

Defensively, Kelly Rorden played well for Kaiser, while goalies

Veronica McLean (first half) and Wagner (second) faced no shots on

goal, other than the PK.

Olivia Barajas made three first-half saves for TeWinkle and Jackie

Torres’ two second-half saves included a kick save on a shot from

close range that required lightning-quick reaction.

Kaiser concludes pool play tonight at 6:30 against Eastbluff,

while TeWinkle takes on Mariners Christian today at 5:30.