By Rebecca Hext
Staff Writer
The Mira Costa girls soccer team defeated Chadwick in an away match on Dec. 6, improving its record to 3-1.
Early in the first half, a hand-ball was called against Costa’s freshman goalie Nonnie Frishette. Frishette came out of the goalie box to pick up the ball, and a free kick was awarded to Chadwick. Chadwick scored on the free kick, putting the Mustang girls down in an early 1-0 hole.
“We really picked it up as a team after they [Chadwick] scored that first goal to go on top 1-0 early on,” junior Taylor Foland said. “We didn’t let it get to us early and worked together to step up our game because we knew if we didn’t we wouldn’t be on top at the end.”
Later in the first half, sophomore Savannah Sartini passed the ball to freshman Makenna Doyle, who managed to score the team’s first goal and tied the match at 1-1.
After the first goal of the game, Taylor Foland crossed the ball to Sartini who pushed it in for another goal, giving the Mustangs an uncontested 2-0 lead going into halftime.
“It was really nice to be on the assisting and scoring side of goals today during the game,” Sartini said. “We are starting to learn how this group of girls plays together and taking advantage of each of our strengths in order to pull
out wins.”
After the second half started, the Mustangs knew they were going to need at least one more goal to seal the deal. Early in the half, a penalty called against Chadwick outside gave the Mustangs the opportunity they needed to score another goal. Junior Melina Cohen took the free penalty kick and sophomore Kimby Keever headed it in to the goal to put Costa up by two goals. Soon after, sophomore Mandy McKeegan scored another goal off a rebound from Chadwick’s goalie, breaking the game open.
“Kimby crossed the ball over and the goalie blocked it but luckily, was unable to catch it,” McKeegan said. “I just managed to follow up the shot and finish it off for her. When all that works together and the plays we work on are perfected, our job really becomes pretty easy.”
Freshman Alyssa Contreras added another goal for Mira Costa as the second half dwindled to an end. Sartini sent the ball down across the field and Contreras kicked it in the goal to extend Costa’s lead to a comfortable score of 5-1.
The last goal was put in by junior Rachel Oster, who dribbled the ball on a breakaway and scored an unassisted goal. The game ended with a final score of 6-1 and the Mustangs on top.
“I really feel like our team is starting to come together and play more like a team should,” Oster said. “This was a great game to pump up the team for the start of our season, and I have high expectations for this year. If we play at this level, we will do big things this year.”
The soccer team’s next game will take place today against Marymount High School at 3 p.m. at home in Mira Costa’s Waller Stadium.
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