Corona stunned on road

REDLANDS — A security guard in a golf cart sped toward the other side of the field to check if Corona del Mar High Coach Bryan Middleton needed help.

“We’re trying to get the bus all lined up for you,” the security man said.

“We came in cars,” Middleton said. “We’re good.”

Middleton was far from good after 80 minutes of girls’ soccer Thursday.

His team missed on countless number of scoring opportunities. Redlands eliminated the visiting Sea Kings from the playoffs with a 1-0 victory in a CIF Southern Section Division II quarterfinal match.

Middleton was visibly disappointed. He couldn’t believe his second quarterfinal appearance ended the same way his first did in 2002-03, his first season at CdM.

“We dominated this whole freaking game,” Middleton said. “They had two opportunities the whole game. Two!

“I definitely would not expect this team to make it past the semis. Locally, I’d compare this team to like Costa Mesa.”

Coach Jennifer Classen is the first to admit the Sea Kings controlled the match offensively. The Terriers (17-6-4) dodged impressive shots by CdM (12-5-7).

The Sea Kings’ defense again slowed down the opposition. For only the 12th time, CdM allowed a goal and it wound up being enough for Redlands to advance to what Classen said is the program’s first semifinal appearance in school history.

“Our opportunities were few and far between,” said Classen, who’s in her third year.

Practically everyone on the Redlands sideline saw the Sea Kings take the action to the Terriers.

Christina Rivera, the school’s principal, sat nervously at the end of one of Redlands’ benches. You would understand why. Rivera said she graduated from CdM.

Rivera never said what year, but you quickly figured out who she rooted for Thursday.

Classen, a physical education teacher, had no idea Rivera is a CdM alumnus until someone informed her afterward. Rivera congratulated Classen.

On the other side, Middleton consoled his young Sea Kings. Only two seniors are scheduled to graduate.

“Out of these 20 players, I have 18 coming back,” said Middleton, whose team set single-season school records for shutouts (15) and goals allowed (12). “We’ll have the whole team back basically. We will miss [seniors] Cosette Andujar and AJ Rome. We should definitely be making a run at [a second straight Pacific Coast League] championship, and if not a CIF title.”

The Sea Kings were two wins away from reaching the final and having a chance to claim the school’s first girls’ soccer section crown.

CdM attacked from the start. In the first 10 minutes, it created three quality goal-scoring opportunities. Keeper Charlene Roorda stopped the Sea Kings every time, finishing with seven saves in the shutout.

CdM sophomore Scarlett Fallon almost put away a corner kick early on. But Roorda came up huge for the Terriers, who placed second in the Citrus Belt League.

Later, Redlands took advantage of one of its limited offensive opportunities.

On a corner kick from Hannah Carroll, a teammate with the same first name, without an “h” at the end, finished the play.

Hanna Rozzi headed in the goal, beating keeper Sarah Cox in the 33rd minute. It was a first, Rozzi’s first header off a corner kick this season and the match’s first goal and only goal.

“She’s had near misses all season long,” Classen said of her sophomore. “She’s been waiting and waiting to put one in on a corner.”

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.