CdM, Fountain Valley girls’ soccer teams battle to 1-1 tie to open Sunset Conference play
Eleven matches.
Eleven wins.
The Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team had a perfect record headed into Tuesday’s Sunset Conference crossover match at Fountain Valley.
The Sea Kings haven’t been behind on the scoreboard much, but the host Barons changed that just four minutes in. A CdM corner kick led to a breakaway the other way by Fountain Valley’s Katelyn Simmons.
CdM goalkeeper Alex Boserup made the initial save, but Barons sophomore Kayla Knoob was there for the rebound goal.
“We knew [CdM’s record],” Knoob said. “We were trying to break that. Well, we still kind of broke it.”
Instead of handing the Sea Kings their first loss, the Barons had to settle for handing them their first tie.
Ellie Rosing scored in the 66th minute, assisted by Erin Jones, to help the Sea Kings salvage a 1-1 draw. CdM coach Bryan Middleton commended his team for battling back, but also regretted the early deficit.
“The quality of soccer in the Sunset Conference is so good,” Middleton said. “You can’t take a single play off. We had the offensive play, we executed the corner kick … but some people ball-watched and took the play off. They were able to counterattack and get the goal on us. It was kind of like a full-team mistake.”
Middleton still felt that his team dominated the chances in the second half. But Fountain Valley goalkeepers Nylah Mirshafiei and Laurynn Ziller combined for six saves, stopping the Sea Kings (11-0-1), ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division 2, from scoring more than the single goal.
Barons coach Scott Goldman said he also moved senior midfielder Taylor Heit back to center back for Tuesday’s match. Heit is used to playing in the midfield, along with fellow senior Samantha Armenta.
“Between the injuries, COVID and everything else, I had to kind of tweak things,” Goldman said. “[Heit] is a high-level player. She can play pretty much anywhere.”
The teams traded scoring opportunities midway through the match. CdM senior midfielder Jane Paulsen struck a free kick from 45 yards out that hit off the crossbar just before halftime. Early in the second half, Boserup (six saves) deflected a Fountain Valley shot off the crossbar. Katie West was there for the rebound, but Boserup shut that down as well.
CdM has Jones, a senior and four-year varsity player, playing up top with younger players like Rosing, freshmen Isabella Thomas and Lilly Borland and sophomore Payton Vovan.
“We’re starting to get better each game,” Jones said. “This year, I think it’s really fun. I’m enjoying myself. I try to make sure everyone’s included and having fun.”
On the other side of the pitch, Fountain Valley (4-4-3) is trying to improve from an 0-6 showing in the Wave League last spring. Goldman said he scheduled a tougher preseason slate this year, and the Barons have mostly held up.
Knoob is a dynamic player in the midfield, and he hopes that she keeps it going when the Barons play at rival Edison on Thursday at 5 p.m. in another crossover match.
“She’s continued to progress,” Goldman said. “Last year, her first game was against Edison, and literally her first touch was a goal. We’re hoping to bring a little bit of that back.”
CdM hosts Marina on Thursday at 3 p.m.
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