Eagles can’t overcome Monsoons

COSTA MESA — As Estancia High played what would be its final girls’ soccer match of the season, grey clouds rolled in overhead.

Rain seemed inevitable. But, not one drop fell on this CIF Southern Section Division III second-round match.

Instead, a storm came in the form of top-seeded Mayfair of Lakewood.

The Monsoons (24-2-3) scored two goals in the first half to gain control on their way to a 3-0 victory on a windy Wednesday at Estancia.

Though no one got wet, there were still teardrops falling from the eyes of its players, including senior Stacy McDaniels. She couldn’t hold them back because she knew it was over.

But the tears soon dried as she reflected on the momementous feats the Eagles achieved this season. They advanced past the first round of the CIF plyaoffs for what Coach Steve Crenshaw said was the first time since 1993.

The Eagles (13-9-3) won at Beverly Hills, 1-0, Saturday when Taylor Carpenter scored in the 63rd minute.

“Overall, it was like this was the best year Estancia has had in 13 years,” said McDaniels, the sweeper who was moved up as the match went on and the Eagles tried to score. “We were the closest team that I’ve ever been on.”

McDaniels said 13 years, referring to the Eagles’ big league win over cross-town rival Costa Mesa this season. It was the first time Estancia beat the Mustangs in league play in 13 years.

“I’m proud of what they did,” Crenshaw said. “We honestly could have and should have won [the Orange Coast League title] this year. We had a week where we had three starters out and three starters who played injured and we lost two games, Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa, and Mesa went up one point on us.”

Before the win over Costa Mesa, McDaniels said the Eagles came in with great confidence, which was different than in years past when they entered nervous and basically expecting to lose.

Before taking on the Monsoons, McDaniels and the Eagles tried to come in with a nothing-to-lose attitude, doing all they could to ignore Mayfair’s brilliance.

But they had to pay attention to the Monsoons’ desire, as well as their skill and speed. Mayfair, which won a CIF section crown in 2006 and lost in the final last year, also possesed a great defense, as it posted its 21st shutout of the season.

As if that wasn’t enough of an advantage, the Monsoons won the coin flip before the match began.

They chose to go with the wind and Estancia’s field had a downhill slant headed in that direction. The results were obviously even more of an advantage for a team like Mayfair.

Brittanie Perez scored in the sixth minute and six minutes later Lauren Nieraeth put the Monsoons up, 2-0.

“We got our heads down a little bit,” Crenshaw said. “It would have helped if we could have kept them from scoring a little longer.”

With Estancia’s defenders playing up in the second half, Mayfair took advantage early, netting a 3-0 lead after Nicole Hubbard’s goal.

The Eagles created some scoring chances late, but the Monsoons countinually prevented them from finishing.

Sophomore Nushin Tasbihchi sent a shot from about 15 yards out wide right of the goal. A few minutes later, McDaniels delivered a corner kick that was a threat, nearly bending in before goalkeeper Lori Nunnaly punched it out of bounds.

On the ensuing corner kick, Tasbihchi was able to place the ball in front of the net to sophomore Kendra Fisher, who tapped it just wide right.

“We just couldn’t put them away,” McDaniels said.

McDaniels fnished with a loss, but she was able to be a big part of the Eagles’ achievements this season, as wel as throughout her career with Estancia. She did not play for the Eagles her freshman year, instead concentrating on club soccer. In her sophomore year, she helped Estancia to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Last year, she scored a goal in the Eagles, 3-0, nonleague win over Costa Mesa, the first time Estancia had beaten the Mustangs in 10 years.

“Stacy is an outstanding player,” Crenshaw said. “She understands the game and reads it well.

“This year, I think Stacy grew up a lot. One of the things she became this year is a leader in a lot of ways ... It really made a difference and it helped us become more of a team. She played her postiion well, but she also helped the others to play theirs better.”

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