Girls’ Soccer: CdM’s Chelf uses her head
IRVINE — As freshmen for the Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team, Trinity Rodman and Megan Chelf might not have been fully aware of the rivalry with Northwood.
If not, they got a big dose of it Tuesday night in an intense and physical game.
But both freshmen showed the finishing touch needed for the Sea Kings to pull off a big Pacific Coast League victory on the road.
Rodman scored in the fourth minute, and Chelf scored what would end up as the game-winner in the 71st minute as CdM earned a 2-1 victory over the Timberwolves.
Chelf did a celebratory back flip after her header goal late in the game, assisted by senior captain Leah Givant. The Sea Kings flipped into a first-place tie with the two-time defending league champion Timberwolves halfway through league play.
It’s two points for a win and one for a tie in the Pacific Coast League, so CdM (15-0-3, 3-0-2 in league) and Northwood (4-1 in league) both have eight points.
Before Northwood won back-to-back league titles, CdM had won four straight league titles. That included a memorable game in 2014, when the Sea Kings scored three second-half goals in the league finale to earn a 3-2 win at Northwood and clinch the “four-peat.”
“They bring out the best in us, and I think we bring out the best in them,” CdM Coach Bryan Middleton said. “It’s a very good game. It’s just a good league rivalry.”
Givant also assisted Rodman’s goal in the fourth minute, when she took a dribble near the top of the box before blasting a shot into the left corner of the net. It was the team-best 12th goal of the year for Rodman, and it gave CdM, the top-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division 2, an early lead.
Northwood answered early in the second half. when junior Brooke Kong played the ball ahead to sophomore Kaylee Nguyen in the 42nd minute. Nguyen, running even with her defender, gained control in the box and scored.
The Sea Kings kept pushing. Deep throw-ins by sophomore Libby Gessford provided good chances, as did deep plays up the field by defenders Emma Scott, a senior captain, and sophomore Alyssa McKenzie.
But the equalizer came when Givant found Chelf in the middle of the box. Her 11th goal of the season put CdM up late.
“She has the innate ability to win the head ball, and she’s only maybe 5-1,” Middleton said. “That’s not her first time this year. Probably five of her goals have been scored on headers. Unlike most high school girls, she likes to attack the ball in the air. She has no fear.”
Middleton had promised his star freshman at halftime that she could do the back flip if she scored in the second half. And she delivered.
“The feeling of scoring when you know you’re going to win ... it’s just such a good feeling,” Chelf said. “You know everyone is so excited. It’s a team sport, so you know if one person scores, we’re happy for each other.”
Scott and McKenzie were leaders for a CdM defense that also included players like Katharine Caston and the third freshman starter, Alex Ianni. The unit stepped up without junior Julie Bartz (sick). Senior keeper Ally Lozano made four saves.
CdM continues Pacific Coast League play at Woodbridge on Thursday. The rematch against Northwood is Feb. 7 at CdM.
The Sea Kings have won three straight since opening league with ties against Beckman (2-2) and University (1-1).
“[We’re the] only girls’ team in Orange County that’s undefeated,” Middleton said. “That speaks for itself. Tonight, the important thing was coming out with a positive result heading into the second half of league ... We played our first two games [in league] like we had to rush through things. We weren’t playing our possession style type of game, but then we kind of settled down. In this one, it was definitely about wanting it.”
