CdM, Estancia open with scrimmage
The Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team has three freshmen who could make a big impact this season, with forward Trinity Rodman, midfielder Megan Chelf and defender Alex Ianni.
Of the three players, Chelf and Ianni competed in Tuesday night’s scrimmage against Estancia at Jim Scott Stadium. Rodman was missing, and for good reason, as she’s at a training camp with the U.S. Under-14 National Team this week in Florida.
“It kind of beckons back to maybe like Annie [Alvarado] or Karsten [Sigband], when they were freshmen, where they can come in and contribute in their first year,” CdM Coach Bryan Middleton said. “They’re a great addition to the roster this year.”
But it was two sophomores who unofficially scored goals in the scrimmage for Corona del Mar. Celeste Wayne had a goal just before halftime, scoring it on the rebound after a free kick by sophomore Alyssa McKenzie. Katharine Caston added one late for CdM, assisted by a cross from junior Liz Lamie.
The scrimmage was set up as four 20-minute quarters. Estancia scored its only goal in the third quarter. After the ball was played ahead, senior goalie Ally Lozano came up to challenge Estancia freshman forward Desiree Mendoza near the upper-right corner of the box. But the ball went to Estancia senior midfielder Katarina Freiberger, who stuck it in the back of the net.
“With the 4-3-3 formation, it gives us a lot of offensive firepower, but it can expose you a little bit on the defense,” Middleton said. “In the first half, we probably created about seven opportunities to their maybe three. But, you know, it took some time. And I have a deep bench, so I started the second half with almost a whole new lineup. When I put basically the starting lineup back in there, they were clicking and definitely wanted to get some goals.”
CdM is coming off a successful season that saw the Sea Kings finish second in the Pacific Coast League and advance to the CIF Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals, losing there to eventual champion Palos Verdes. The Sea Kings remain in Division 2 this season, even with the new competitive equity power rankings.
Lozano, who made four saves Tuesday night, takes over in goal for Newport-Mesa Player of the Year Kat Hess, who’s now at Harvard. Lozano is one of four senior co-captains for the Sea Kings, including forward Taylor Rosen, midfielder Leah Givant and defender Emma Scott.
Middleton expects his team to perhaps have more firepower than in past years, especially with Rodman on the pitch. Rodman and Chelf, along with CdM sophomore defender Emily Mickelsen, have helped their SoCal Blues club team win national championships.
Estancia’s second-year coach Josh Juarez, meanwhile, is hoping to figure out his defense. The Eagles are also coming off a big year, winning their second straight Orange Coast League title and advancing to the second round of the Division 5 playoffs. Estancia moved up a division this year, to Division 4.
But the Eagles graduated league co-MVP Brandi White on defense, and are currently without senior defender Sammie Haynes (MCL) and junior defender Lexina McDowell (ACL). McDowell is out for the year, while Haynes hopes to come back late in the season.
Estancia still has junior Annalysa Cowie at center back, though she took a ball to the face in the first half Tuesday and did not return. Juarez was pleased with the job that freshman Ana Ruiz did at the job in the second half.
“We have quite a few new faces on defense, and so we’re going to get a chance to see them over the first few weeks before we set who our starters are in that spot,” Juarez said. “Today we threw quite a few different faces out there ... we do have some freshmen and some girls coming up from the JV who are really looking to step up. I think in a few weeks, we’ll be solidified there.”
Monique Mendoza (five saves) and Jada Alford (three) split time in goal for Estancia.
CdM opens its season on Dec. 2 at the Westminster Tournament, while Estancia’s first game is a nonleague home contest against Woodbridge on Dec. 6.
