Senior is a stellar stopper for CdM

female athlete of weekFallon uses her head to get things done for the Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team.Last week was a good one both offensively and defensively for Corona del Mar senior Taylor Fallon, who has really learned to use her head to her advantage.

Fallon, who switched from central midfielder to defender for the Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team this season, stood out above the crowd in two key Pacific Coast League games.

Wednesday against Laguna Beach, Fallon scored two goals -- both on headers -- in Corona del Mar’s 2-0 victory.

Two days later against Northwood, the 5-foot-10 Fallon rose above the crowd to clear the defensive zone with headers. The stellar defensive play of Fallon and Phoebe Chang helped propel the Sea Kings to a 2-0 upset of Northwood, which was ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division II at the time.

Corona del Mar, Northwood and Tesoro (ranked No. 4 in Division II) are tied for first place in the Pacific Coast League with 5-1 records. It’s no surprise Northwood and Tesoro are atop the league standings. But after a 1-7-1 start to the season, not many people thought they’d see Corona del Mar in such esteemed company.

Beating Northwood was the biggest shocker of them all. Goals by Ali Torres and Alex Tobiessen -- both on assists from Hannah Rollins -- set the stage for Chang and Fallon to take over the game defensively.

“She won every head ball and dominated their forwards,” Corona del Mar Coach Bryan Middleton said of Fallon.

“It felt wonderful because we didn’t go in thinking we’d win the game,” Fallon said. “But we just pulled it together and outplayed them.”

Fallon’s switch to the back line has done wonders for the Sea Kings’ defense.

“She has completely solidified our back line,” Middleton said. “She has the ability to control the game defensively from back there.”

Fallon also pitches in offensively. After netting two goals against Laguna Beach, Fallon has four on the season -- all with her head.

“She’s taller than the average player, so on corner kicks and long throws, we bring her up and take advantage of it,” Middleton said.

So does Fallon prefer to score goals, or to prevent goals from being scored?

“Defense is my job, scoring is my pleasure,” Fallon said. “It’s a lot of fun to score, but defense comes first.”

With the second half of the Pacific Coast League season underway, Corona del Mar must contend with avoiding a letdown after playing at such a high level against Northwood.

“We can’t have that be our peak performance,” Middleton said.

Corona del Mar is not only shooting for a playoff spot, it feels the league title is not out of the question, even with Northwood and Tesoro still on the schedule.

“It’s going to be tough, but I think we can do it,” Fallon said.

The Taylor Fallon File

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 5-foot-10

Weight: 140

Sport: Soccer

Position: Defender

Coach: Bryan Middleton

Favorite food: Bean and cheese burritos

Favorite movie: “Wedding Crashers”

Favorite athletic moment: “Beating Northwood.”

Week in review: Fallon scored two goals in Corona del Mar’s 2-0 win over Laguna Beach on Wednesday, then turned in a stellar defensive effort in the team’s upset 2-0 victory over Northwood on Friday. With the wins, the Sea Kings moved into a three-way tie for first place in the Pacific Coast League.20060127itq897ncDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Corona del Mar soccer player Taylor Fallon is the Daily Pilot female athlete of the week.