Carden back to winning

COSTA MESA — Chase Dugan has not forgotten that Daily Pilot article from last year.

The one in which Dugan was asked, “What’s Carden Hall going to do because Travis and Dylan left?”

Nearby, a woman overheard Dugan. He was referring to Travis and Dylan Campos, the twins who left Carden Hall after leading the third- and fourth-grade boys to the Daily Pilot Cup gold division title two years ago.

“That’s old news,” the woman said.

Dugan helped Carden Hall create news Tuesday.

Dugan converted a penalty kick and Carden Hall beat Newport Coast, 2-0, on the opening day of the Pilot Cup at the Costa Mesa Farm Complex. Carden Hall is off to a better start in the fifth- and sixth-grade gold division than it was last year.

“Last year, we went two-and-out,” Carden Hall Coach Don Cornell said.

“We actually played really well. I was really impressed with how all the boys played.”

Cornell pointed out the play of Dugan and Parker Ohland. The two recorded Carden Hall’s goals, both in the second half.

The first half was scoreless. That was a victory for Newport Coast, which played most of the match without its top player, Cameron Kormos.

Newport Coast Coach Jill Kormos said a bee stung her son on his left foot on Monday. Tuesday morning, she said Cameron spent it at the hospital getting steroid shots.

“We didn’t know,” Kormos said when asked if her son was allergic to the bee sting. “He passed out in the hospital.

“He played a few minutes, but his foot is so swollen. He shouldn’t have been playing.”

While Newport Coast lacked scoring chances, goalkeeper Sachin Gokhale kept the team in the match.

Gokhale came up with some big saves in the first half, using his speed to get to shots toward the far post. He stopped back-to-back shots right before halftime.

Midway through the second half, Ohland figured to flick the ball over Gokhale’s head.

The move worked, giving Carden Hall a 1-0 lead.

Gokhale leaped, but the ball found the back of the net.

Carden Hall put the match away late. A handball in the box gave Carden Hall a penalty kick.

Dugan made sure to put it away, striking the ball toward the left.

Carden Hall was closing in on its first win after failing to win at all last season.

“Pretty exciting,” Dugan said of finally winning again.

Triumphing again might not be so easy in Carden Hall’s next match on Friday.

Carden Hall faces powerhouse Rea, which has claimed nine titles in the past 11 years in the gold division.

“We’re looking forward to it because we’ve been working hard,” Cornell said. “It’s going to be a tough match.

“Rea is definitely a very disciplined team. They move the ball really well. We’re just going to have to be able to mark on their strongest forward in order to just hang in there.”