Andersen almost there

COSTA MESA — Guesswork isn’t on the agenda for the Andersen Elementary girls’ third-and fourth-grade Gold Division team.

The Dolphins expect to win. They have history on their side, because they represent the closest thing the Daily Pilot Cup has to a dynasty.

On Saturday at the Farm Sports Complex, Andersen took a step closer to its seventh straight girls’ 3-4 Gold Division crown. Behind a hat trick from Caroline Bethel, the Dolphins topped Pegasus School in a semifinal, 3-1.

Andersen will face Carden Hall in the division’s championship game today at noon at Farm field No. 5.

After the semifinal game, the girls didn’t need prodding to say that they want to get that seventh straight title for their school. Several of them even said it added a bit to the pressure of the tournament.

“It’s a tradition at Andersen Elementary to win the championship,” Andersen’s Madison Binder said. “And I don’t want to ruin the tradition.”

The Dolphins came out strong against Pegasus. Eight minutes into the game, Heidi Ritner’s indirect free kick from just outside the box went in front of the net. A scrum occurred, but Bethel tapped the ball in to give her team the early lead.

Bethel struck again seven minutes later. Just inside the box, she angled a shot toward the right corner, just out of the reach of the Pegasus goalie. Andersen took the 2-0 lead into halftime.

“We had a lot of confidence,” said the Dolphins’ Gabrielle Stassart, adding that the team excels in passing and teamwork.

But Pegasus responded early in the second half. Nina Francini lofted her free kick from the right side, well outside the box, into the upper part of the net to momentarily stun Andersen. It was the first goal the Dolphins had allowed all tournament.

“The wind was going our way,” said Francini, who has played with several members of Andersen on AYSO Region 57 teams and in the Newport Mesa Soccer Club. “I was just trying to get it in the air and curve it up.”

Andersen would respond midway through the second half. Courtney Johnston was fouled inside the box, and Bethel converted the free kick for the game’s final goal.

“It was tough playing Pegasus, but it was fun to win,” Bethel said. “I’m proud of my team because we used a lot of teamwork.”

Katherine Hess had five saves for Andersen. The Dolphins were without their usual goalie, Maddie Musselman, who was at a swim meet. Payton Carter, Erin Hatch, Sierra Muelhauser, Emily Taxman, Katy Clemens, Madalyn Ruiz and Alex Osterberg also pitched in for the win.

Sydney Yebisu made five saves for Pegasus, and Jessica Harris had seven. Defenders Lauren Chan, Katie Hendrix and Cameron Patten helped slow Andersen, and Bren Blower made several nice runs.

Also contributing for the Thunder were Olivia Jaber, Sarah Lowey, Gabi Goffman, MacKenzie Paskerian, Tomiko Hoshijima and Elise Rimland.

The resilient Chan had injured her ankle in Saturday morning’s quarterfinal game, but was back in there in the semifinal.

“I have to play,” Chan said. “Soccer is my inner instinct.”

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at matthew.szabo@latimes.com.