Costa Mesa’s Rubright has hand in triumph

COSTA MESA — Jessica Rubright’s heart pounded, her body full of nerves as the last seconds ticked in the final minute of what became an exciting finish.

The Costa Mesa High goalkeeper found motivation in redemption. Just four minutes earlier, she let the ball sail over her for a goal. This time she wouldn’t let that happen, not in the first round game of the CIF Southern Section Division III girls’ soccer playoffs.

Rubright collected a save in the final minute, stopping a shot just after a pass from a free kick to secure the Mustangs’ 2-1 victory over Bonita Saturday at Orange Coast College.

“I was really nervous,” Rubright said of her emotions as the Bearcats prepared for the free kick just outside the 18-yard box. “I was aware of the time (about 15 seconds left). It was nerve-racking. The last time they did it, they had a shot go over me. Luckily the shot was close enough to me so I could grab it. It was the save of the day. If they scored that one, we would go into overtime and you never know what happens then.”

Actually, the last time overtime happened with Bonita in the playoffs, it got out of hand for the Mustangs. They lost at home to Bonita, 2-1, in four overtime periods, two years ago in the second round of the playoffs.

But, Rubright, a junior who had four saves in the 40 minutes of the second half she played, stopped that from happening. Of course, she had a bit of help. Junior Kristina Roche was brilliant as Mesa’s sweeper and junior Dana Gentling was also a key defender. Senior goalkeeper Kalea Seanoa had two saves in the first half.

“She’s the difference in our defense,” Johnston said of Roche. “We have a lot of good players back there, but Kristina is like the anchor to it. When we make a mistake, she makes up for it . She has done that all year long.”

In the final minute against Bonita, it was Rubright, who made up for her own mistake, helping the Mustangs advance to the second round Wednesday, when they will face Riverside Poly at a site to be determined by a coin flip.

“Jessica did a great job on that last save,” Johnston said. “She saved the game.”

Costa Mesa (13-7-3), the Orange Coast League champion, nearly let it slip away, even after leading, 2-0, before halftime.

Junior Brooke Urmson gave the Mustangs an early lead, putting away a pass from junior Kyra Graham in the first minute. The Bearcats (9-10-4) appeared to be caught off guard. Graham’s pass proved to be an indication that it would be difficult to keep up with her speed. She reacted quickly as two defenders approached her.

Graham scored later in the 20th minute on an assist from junior Ayla Medina.

The Mustangs then relied on their defense, to help Costa Mesa post its sixth straight win. Johnston, in his 17th year, beamed when talking about how much his young team has improved. Costa Mesa, which has just three seniors, went winless in its first four league games before starting its current streak on its way to its sixth straight league title.

Saenoa and Rubright have surely been part of the team’s rise.

“They are playing very well together,” Johnston said of the goalies who have split time this season. “They are the poster-children for teamwork.”

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at [email protected].