CdM uses magic McBean

IRVINE — Jack McBean, the freshman phenom for the Corona del Mar High boys’ soccer team, used but one word to describe how he felt after scoring a game-winning goal with less than a minute left.

Turns out, that same word could also sum up his game against University at Las Lomas Community Park Wednesday.

“Amazing,” the 5-foot-11 striker said after making his teammates, as well as CdM fans, shout in celebration for a 2-1 Pacific Coast League win.

McBean didn’t look like a first-year varsity player, as he helped the Sea Kings (17-1-1, 6-1-1 in league) stay in contention for a league title and deal the Trojans (10-5-2, 6-1-0) their first PCL loss. CdM remains in second place behind the defending league champion. But a loss for Uni in one of its last three games would give the Sea Kings the title if they win their final two games against San Juan Hills and Beckman. If the Trojans tie in that scenario, the teams would share the title.

CdM avenged its only loss of the season, thanks to McBean and an assist from Reed Williams, who was playing at about 80% with a sore right hamstring.

Williams, the UCLA-bound senior striker who has 24 goals, did not score for the first time in the 13 games he’s played in this season. But he did produce a huge assist.

With the seconds ticking toward the final whistle, CdM Coach George Larsen pleaded to his players to pick up the pace. They appeared sluggish at times during the second half, playing against the wind, going uphill at the park in Irvine.

Perhaps, it’s because the Sea Kings are going through finals this week in their classes. McBean took two finals Tuesday, two more Wednesday and he has an honors biology final today. It can be said he passed the test on the field against the Trojans.

Williams chipped a pass in the box, near McBean, who flicked the ball with his head. The ball bounced and settled just inside the far post, setting off loud cheers from the Sea Kings’ sideline.

“Jack, even though he is a freshman, showed his experience and his character,” Larsen said. “His whole game was on display. To go up against the older kids like that and score like that, it’s a really good day for him.

“Reed has gotten a lot of accolades this year with his goal scoring, but we’ve got a pretty special kid next to him. He deservedly got rewarded for his effort today.”

McBean, a member of the U.S. Olympic Development Program U-15 team, also played a part in the Sea Kings’ first goal. CdM came out firing in the first half, with 11 shots, while Uni had seven.

In the 14th minute, McBean was taken down just outside the 18-yard box along the home-team sideline. He sent a direct free kick that was too hard to handle for goalie Federico Antonelli. Paul Zubatov was there to knock in the rebound and give the Sea Kings a 1-0 lead.

But CdM had several other chances to increase its lead, but could not finish.

Still, the Sea Kings remained determined. They wanted revenge.

Uni won at CdM, 1-0, Jan. 15, when Austin Tabor scored the game-winner in the 88th minute. The Sea Kings were without Williams because of his hamstring and McBean, who was playing with the U.S. ODP team. Brian Ford, another key starter for CdM, was injured during that game.

It was as if the Sea Kings wanted to show what they could do Wednesday with a healthier team. Before the PCL season, they generated plenty of attention as they were ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation by ESPN RISE. Now they are ranked No. 17, and No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division IV coaches’ poll. The Trojans are tied for No. 10 in CIF Division IV.

Uni will most likely improve its ranking. The Trojans certainly improved their play in the second half, led by senior Griffin Fuller, who is bound for Point Loma Nazarene. Fuller set up Uni’s goal in the 43rd minute. His free kick was too strong for goalie Connor Gaal to handle, and Kenny Grant headed in the rebound.

Still, Gaal did come up with a huge save in the first half and showed the Sea Kings aren’t solely about Williams.

Gaal turned away Kiran Luecke’s point-blank shot in the 28th minute.

Gaal, a sophomore who played for the CdM boys’ basketball team last year, joined the soccer team this season after learning Larsen was coaching the team. Larsen coached Gaal when he was younger. Gaal, who had seven saves, also rejoined Larsen’s club team, the Newport Beach-based Slammers, that also includes several of the Sea Kings.

“Connor has been a blessing for us,” Larsen said. “We didn’t know we were going to have Connor at the beginning of the season. He played for my club team years ago. We are glad to have him back. He really takes our team to another level.”

Having Williams at full strength would also help. Larsen is thinking to rest him Friday, when the Sea Kings play host to San Juan Hills.