Pacifica Eliminates El Modena, 5-1

Pacifica got past El Modena and did it in a big way Friday, defeating the Vanguards, 5-1, in the first round of the Southern Section Division III girls’ soccer playoffs.

El Modena (12-6-4), which had advanced to the semifinals each of the last four years, eliminated Pacifica (23-1-4) in the quarterfinals last season.

“The girls were really fired up for this game,” Pacifica Coach Matt Etchison said. “We are very confident now. We played a tough preseason and came out 10-1-4, then league play is just like workouts for us. So the girls are ready for the challenge.”

Over the last five years, Pacifica is 60-0 in Garden Grove League games.

The Mariners took a 3-0 lead, 43 minutes into the game, when Tami Fipps scored her second goal of the game. Amy Burcham perfectly placed a corner kick in front of the net and Fipps headed it in.

After El Modena got a goal from Natalie Kustich , Michelle Burcham scored her second goal of the game for Pacifica. Sarah Moranville stole the ball from a Vanguard defender and crossed it to Burcham, who sliced it into the corner of the net for a 4-1 lead.

The Mariners closed out the game with a nice passing sequence that Etchison said ‘defines his team’s style of play.’ Moranville, dribbling toward the goal in the middle of the field, touched the ball to Diana DeAugstine, who took two steps before touching back to Moranville, who slammed it into the corner.

“I haven’t seen a better attacking team this year,” El Modena Coach Jeff Pearson said. “They would have won our league [Century] with no problem. They have an excellent shot of advancing and they are worthy of however far they go.”