Girls’ Soccer: CdM settles for tie
IRVINE — Two minutes after the game started, the Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team was on the scoreboard.
Two minutes after that, Woodbridge pulled even.
Those who arrived even five minutes late missed all of the scoring in Thursday’s Pacific Coast League opener. Neither team could find the back of the net again for the duration of the game, so both teams will settle for earning a point after the 1-1 tie at University High.
Corona del Mar took the lead just moments into the contest after earning an early corner kick. Junior Leah Givant struck it perfectly to the back post, where fellow junior Taylor Rosen headed it in past Woodbridge goalie Tianna Sanders.
CdM Coach Bryan Middleton directed Givant to strike the corner to that spot, and there was a good reason why.
“I’ve seen Woodbridge this year, and I watched Newport Harbor score on that goalkeeper back post just like we did,” Middleton said. “I kind of knew where to play the ball, because that keeper likes to cheat toward the near post.”
But the Sea Kings (5-4-5, 0-0-1 in league) did not keep the lead for long at all. The Warriors (3-5-5, 0-0-1) evened the score in the fourth minute. A cross from the right found the foot of sophomore forward Rachel Glasl, who was able to direct it past CdM goalie Ally Lozano.
“In soccer that happens all the time,” Middleton said. “You score a goal, and within a minute or two the opposing team scores a goal. You kind of breathe a sigh of relief [after scoring], but you’ve got to play a whole 80 minutes in a varsity game. You can’t have any letdowns. They got the cross off, and the girl finished the ball really well for that goal.”
Added Givant: “Right away, I think we thought we were going to win [after Rosen’s goal]. Then all of a sudden they scored, and we were like scrambling.”
Lozano started in goal because senior keeper Kat Hess sprained her ankle in the girls’ basketball Battle of the Bay game on Tuesday night, Middleton said. He considers Hess questionable for CdM’s next game, against Beckman at home on Tuesday.
Lozano generally played well, making six saves behind CdM’s usual stellar defense of fullbacks Hailey Neumann, Julie Bartz, Christina Venturini and Katherine Caston. The Sea Kings also were able to generate more chances, especially in the second half, due to superior midfield play. Givant, Liz Lamie and Ava McKenzie were all able to help CdM control the midfield, but the Sea Kings had several crosses in front of the goal that failed to connect.
CdM’s best chance to score in the second half came after a cross from the left by Givant. Ava McKenzie got a touch in the box to her younger sister, Alyssa, but the shot from about 15 yards out went right to Sanders, who made five saves.
Woodbridge senior defender and team captain Kara Gilchrist, bound for Concordia University, was a vocal leader for the Warriors and helped ensure they earned the tie.
“Now we’ve just got to finish in the final third,” Mlddleton said. “If that starts clicking, we’re playoff-bound. I think our defense and our goalkeepers are pretty set. If we can create and now finish in that final third, we’ll challenge for a league title.”
CdM finished tied for second in league last year with Beckman, behind league champion Northwood. Woodbridge was just a point behind both the Sea Kings and Patriots in fourth place, and failed to make the postseason.
Warriors Coach Mike Ditta, who is also a UC Irvine men’s soccer assistant coach, wants to get Woodbridge into the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs in his third year in charge. He said his team will take the draw against a quality team like CdM, especially after falling behind by a goal early.
“League is really tough, in terms of a team that’s really the favorite,” Ditta said. “I think between CdM, Beckman, Northwood, us and even Uni, it’s whoever’s going to show up on that day. I’d say Northwood may be the favorite because they won it last year and return a lot of their players ... but I think it’s going to be just as tight this year, and maybe even more so, than last year.”
Givant said the Sea Kings are excited to try to earn their fifth league title in six seasons.
“I think people think we’re underdogs this year,” she said. “I think we can actually do pretty well, because we have a lot of heart and everyone tries their hardest out here.”
