Mustangs starting strong

Chris Yemma

The Costa Mesa High girls soccer team lost almost its entire defense

from the 2003-04 season to graduation. So, naturally Coach Dan

Johnston was a little concerned for this season.

But after eight games this season, the Mustangs were 7-2 after

Thursday’s 4-0 victory over Santa Ana, Johnston rests a little

easier.

The Mustangs had four shutouts in their first four games on their

way to a 4-0 record. One of their losses was to traditional

stronghold Aliso Niguel, 4-1, but Johnston said it wasn’t a big

concern.

“We played better against Aliso than the score showed,” he said.

“If the defense solidifies and our attack keeps getting better, I

think we can play with anybody.”

The Mustangs defeated their first four opponents -- Rosary,

Mayfair, Paramount and Glendora -- by a combined score of 15-0. In

those first four games, the defense was solidified and the offense

was firing.

Through the first five games, junior Jasmin Day led the team in

goals with six, while senior captains Nilani Duarte and Jenny Sparks

have five and three goals, respectively. One of the team’s main

strengths, Johnston said, is their ability to score in bunches.

“It is incredibly demoralizing to another team when you can pop in

two goals in a minute or so,” he said.

The Mustangs went 16-6 last season and lost in the second round of

the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs to Norco, 3-1. Norco

had snapped Mesa’s 13-game winning streak and an eight-game shutout

skein. Before losing to Norco last season, the Mustangs had defeated

their previous eight opponents, 52-0.

The loss of that defense was what concerned Johnston a little. But

not so much any more.

“I was worried about our defense getting up to speed,” he said.

“But we’ve already had a bunch of shutouts, which is nice to see. We

moved some players around and we have a lot of interchangeable

pieces.”

The defense isn’t the strongest weapon the Mustangs have, though.

Passing is what Mesa will be relying on heavily this year. In five

games, Sparks leads the team with seven assists.

Johnston said the team has the potential to win a Division III

championship this year. The Mustangs are currently ranked No. 7 in

Division III, despite beating No. 3 Mayfair. And the team is looking

to stick with its same winning formula this season.

“We’re emphasizing our transition game and emphasizing our passing

game,” Johnston said. “The key thing for us is getting to the ball

and controlling it. We need to keep possession for longer periods of

time.”

The Mustangs have taken control of the Golden West League since

entering the circuit before the 2002-03 season. Mesa has claimed two

straight league championships, and improved to 26-0 all-time in

league after downing Santa Ana.

But it could be a little tougher this time around.

“The league is stronger this year than it has been in the past,”

Johnston said. “I think we’re still the one to beat, but Saddleback

is strong on defense, Estancia is improved...across the board

everybody is getting better.”