GIRLS’ SOCCER / FOOTHILL EXCALIBUR TOURNAMENT : Marina Easily Defends Its Title

Marina reaffirmed its girls’ soccer preeminence Thursday, easily defeating Simi Valley, 3-0, in the title game of Excalibur Tournament at Foothill High School.

The tournament, which annually draws one of the toughest fields in Southern California, barely tested the Vikings (8-0), who outscored their competition, 19-1, in five games to defend their tournament title and extend their unbeaten streak to 46.

Marina, ranked No. 1 in Orange County and the Southern Section, outshot Simi Valley, 21-1, but wasn’t able to score until the second half.

“We were too unselfish,” Marina Coach Bobby Bruch said. “We would get alone in front of the net and we weren’t looking for the shot. In the second half we told them to be more aggressive.”

The Vikings didn’t waste much time, but the first two goals came from slightly unexpected sources.

Midfielder Kristen Palmer, the tournament’s offensive most valuable player, didn’t break through; neither did dangerous forward Cassie Campbell.

First it was sweeper Marcy Crouch with her second goal of the season.

Ten minutes into the second half, Crouch, the tournament’s defensive MVP, set up for a free kick from the right side about 20 yards out. Her shot, aimed for the far post, bounced off goalkeeper Erin Janke’s hands and into the goal.

Then it was stopper Gina Giallonardo with her first goal of the season six minutes later. Giallonardo, whose main responsibility is to keep the ball in Simi Valley territory, intercepted a clearing pass and dribbled through the heart of the defense.

“It was kind of an accident,” Giallonardo said. “I lost control and the next thing I knew I was in front of the goal with just the keeper.”

Janke came out to try to stop the shot, but Giallonardo put it in.

Eight minutes later, Campbell finally got Marina’s offense on the board. After a corner kick by Crouch and a scramble in front of the goal, Campbell’s hard shot from close range hit the crossbar and bounced over the goal line.

Simi Valley (12-2-2), which beat Trabuco Hills, 2-0, in a semifinal earlier Thursday, couldn’t manage much of an attack against Marina; its only shot coming midway through the first half when Anna Wolleck got behind the Vikings’ defense. However, Wolleck’s shot was weak and Jennifer Simmons barely had to move to make her only save.

Marina, which has won the last two Southern Section Division I championships, defeated No. 4 Santa Margarita, 2-0, in the semifinals. Campbell had a goal and an assist and Heather Cuthbertson scored.

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In the third-place game:

Trabuco Hills 1, Santa Margarita 0--Lisa Casey scored off an assist by Theresa Summa to give the Mustangs the victory.