Girls soccer: Mustangs whip Uni

Steve Virgen

IRVINE - With a big helping of aggressive defense and a dash of

luck, the Costa Mesa High girls soccer team cooked up a 2-0 victory over

host University, in the Pacific Coast League opener for both teams

Tuesday.

Despite facing three defenders at a time throughout, Mesa junior

Sharon Day still scored after she was credited for an own goal by

University. But the Mustangs appeared to have put the game away before

the lucky help.

“I was very pleased with our defense,” Coach Dan Johnston said of his

Mustangs (8-3-1, 1-0 in the PCL). “We played real aggressive in the

second half and we took (the Trojans) out of their game.”

After a scoreless first half, the Mustangs’ continuous attacks to

University’s net early in the second half resulted in a goal. Mesa senior

Natalie Masciale headed a ball near the goal, it took a short bounce and

freshman Jenny Sparks booted it into the back of the net, 10 minutes into

the second half.

The 1-0 lead allowed the Mustangs to intensify their defense while

maintaining control on offense. Two minutes after Sparks’ goal, senior

Sarah Ronquillo nearly scored. On a cross from Day, Ronquillo put a

little too much touch on the ball that just sailed over the Trojan’s net.

“(University) was triple-eaming Sharon,” Johnston said. “When that

happens somebody else has to be open. If you let Sarah run free, we’re

going to beat you.”

Mesa, ranked 10th in CIF Southern Section Division IV, received its

insurance goal with 15 minutes left. Near the right corner, Day threw in

a ball roughly 25 yards in front of the Trojan’s net and a University

player kicked it in her own goal.

“Sharon made a perfect throw-in,” Johnston said. “The ball had so much

pizazz on it. “

Mesa’s defense continued to shut down University (5-6, 0-1) after

Day’s “goal.” Sophomore Kaitlyn Gentling anchored the defense, finishing

with six saves.

“As a unit, everyone did a great job,” Johnston said of his defense.

“I put in a lot of substitutes and any time I put somebody in there was

no dropoff. They covered for each other.”

Mesa will host Northwood, Thursday at 3:15 p.m.