Mustangs flipping script

SANTA ANA — The Costa Mesa High boys’ soccer team used to settle for ties in Orange Coast League play.

A tie turned out to be a reason for the Mustangs to celebrate after they went winless in league the past two seasons.

The Mustangs are no longer playing even. After two matches, they’re atop the league.

Costa Mesa continued its strong start to the season. Jose Faboreno and Jesus Estrada each scored goals, helping the Mustangs upset league favorite Godinez, 2-1, at Centennial Regional Park on Monday.

The Mustangs’ improved play ruined the league opener at home for the Grizzlies. Costa Mesa used to be the team some in league joked was the first-year varsity program before the Grizzlies joined the ranks last season.

That’s no longer the case at Costa Mesa (8-3-1, 2-0 in league).

In his second year with the Mustangs, Coach Alex Cordoba has his players competing at a high level. The program has matched its overall win total from the previous three seasons combined.

Godinez Coach Ruben Fernandez noticed the difference, calling Costa Mesa a “more organized and hard working team.”

Goalkeeper Irvin Dorantes offered up another reason why the Mustangs are winning.

“The difference this year is that everybody is not arguing,” Dorantes said.

With everyone on the same page, Costa Mesa might have the talent to end Estancia’s league title run.

The Mustangs aren’t looking so far ahead, and it’s understandable because the success is new.

Before this season, Costa Mesa last won a league match in 2006-07. The victory came against the Eagles. The rivals don’t meet until Jan. 22. The Mustangs have one league contest beforehand, a meeting with Calvary Chapel on Wednesday.

Calvary Chapel, last season’s runner-up, is one of the three teams Costa Mesa tied last season in league. The others were Estancia and Laguna Beach, which finished first and third, respectively, giving Cordoba something to look forward to this season after the Mustangs placed dead last with an 0-5-3 record.

“Just even tying them was a good accomplishment,” Cordoba said of Estancia, Calvary Chapel and Laguna Beach, each of which qualified for the CIF Southern Section Division IV playoffs. “Now, as a second year, we want to always go a little bit further. We’re on a good pace.

“One of our goals is to reach the playoffs. If we win league, it’s a nice accomplishment.”

Cordoba understands the Mustangs have a way to go before claiming anything in league. He has a good reason to be optimistic heading into the final six league matches.

Costa Mesa picked up its second straight 2-1 victory after winning at Laguna Beach on Friday. The Mustangs didn’t need any late offensive heroics against Godinez (6-4-2, 0-1) like they did against the Breakers.

The Mustangs struck in the 29th minute. Jacob Lux sent the ball into the right side of the box to Faboreno on a direct free kick from 35 yards out. With his head, Faboreno directed the ball back and into the back of the net for the goal.

Dong-gi Shin set up Costa Mesa’s second goal.

The junior fed a racing Estrada the ball to the right. Estrada beat the defender, gaining possession while the defender lost sight of him.

Estrada took advantage, taking his time before unleashing a left-footed beauty toward the upper-left corner of the net. Estrada put the Mustangs ahead, 2-0, in the 51st minute.

The rest of the way, Godinez put the pressure on Costa Mesa’s defense and cut the deficit to one on a blast by Alex Hernandez in the 66th minute.

Dorantes had to defend his area, even his younger brother, Oscar, to keep Mesa in front.

Dorantes rushed out of the box after seeing Oscar fall to the ground after the freshman received a blow above the left knee.

“Nobody hits my brother,” Dorantes said.

Dorantes responded by punching a ball out of danger on a Godinez corner kick. The senior took some punishment as well.

On a set piece, Godinez kicked it deep into the box for a tall Fidel Nieves. The midfielder found Dorantes more than the ball late in the match.

Dorantes crashed near his goal line, opening up a wound below his left knee. The blood didn’t bother him because the Mustangs were on their way to changing Costa Mesa’s image.

“Here’s the problem at Mesa, with every Mesa sport,” Dorantes said. “We win one [league] game and we think we’ve won the championship, and that’s not the way it’s going to roll this year.”