Tommy Waller
Staff Writer
With rivals Redondo Union coming to town, Mira Costa was unable to handle late pressure and succumbed to their second loss of Bay League.
Mira Costa boys soccer came away with a 2-1 loss to Redondo Union High School on Tuesday at Waller stadium despite a key performance from junior forward Kyle Johnson. According to Johnson, the team played a good game.
“Although we lost the game, I think that we were the superior side throughout,” Johnson said. “I think that as a team we played very hard and I am proud with the energy we brought, and hopefully than can continue for the rest of Bay League.”
Photos: Boys soccer competes against Redondo.
The first half of the game was uneventful for both sides, until Costa was given a penalty in injury time after a Redondo hand ball in the box. Senior midfielder Koa Work took the penalty but the opposing keeper was able to make the save to keep the game at 0-0 going into halftime. According to Coach Gary Smith, Costa was unlucky not to get a goal from the penalty.
“I believe that everyone worked hard in the first half, and I’m happy with where [Work] placed the penalty,” Smith said. “He put it in the bottom corner but the keeper was able to make an amazing save, and that is just how it is sometimes.”
Link: Boys Soccer loses a close one against Redondo
The Mustangs kept possession for most of the game but were unable to finish effectively. The lone goal came from Johnson early in second half, with the assist coming from a through ball by junior defender Bradley Hofmeister.
“I was set up with a great through ball from Brad and I was just able to do my job and finish,” Johnson said. “I think that we played well for most of the game but we lost focus towards the end of the game.”
Link: Mira Costa’s Boys Soccer Schedule
With Costa up 1-0, the team was looking to defend their lead. With 10 minutes left, the Seahawks were able to tie the game up from a corner. According to junior defender Josh Rudow, the team should have been more focused.
“It was a tough game but I thought as a defense we played well,” Rudow said. “One of the few mistakes we made was that we should have been more focused on the corner and sought out the ball when it was played in the box.”
With the game now tied 1-1, the Mustangs attacked Redondo’s defense in search of regaining their lead. This constant state of attack left Costa vulnerable to counter attacks, and Redondo was able to do just that to make it 2-1 in their favor.
“We played really well, as we had more possession and we always worked hard to get the ball back after losing it,” Smith said. “The only difference is that Redondo were able to finish their chances unlike us who were unlucky not to score a few more goals.”
The Mustangs, now 7-4-2, and 1-2-0 in Bay League, will play Palos Verdes away next Tuesday. According to Rudow, the team needs to improve on finishing if they want to win more games.
“I think that we played well and we deserved more goals,” Rudow said. “But that also means our finishing needs work, and so I think that a week of practice will help us work on our game.”
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