Girls soccer: Mesa second at Katella tourney

KATELLA - The Costa Mesa girls soccer team made a run for the

Katella Tournament championship trophy Saturday, but suffered heartbreak

with a 3-2 loss in double overtime of the title game to Lakewood.

Earlier, Mesa defeated unbeaten Sunny Hills, 5-4, on penalty kicks

after a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation of the semifinals.

Mesa appeared to have scored to win the game against Lakewood, but the

Mustangs were called for offsides. The Lancers scored just before the

teams would have settled the title in a shootout.

“I wasn’t too happy with the referees,” said Mesa Coach Dan Johnston.

“We were a hair’s breath away from winning it. I really think we

outplayed Lakewood, but those things happen.”

Senior Sandra Sparks scored for Mesa (11-3-3) in the first half and

senior Katie Roche connected for a goal in the second to send the game

into overtime. Mustang junior goalie Chelsea finished with six saves.

Against Sunny Hills (18-0-3), No. 10 in Orange County, Semi Phull

scored five minutes in to put Mesa at a disadvantage. But, the Mustangs

retaliated with sophomore Sharon Day’s goal in the second half.

Soria, who finished with eight saves, dove to stop the Lancers’ final

penalty kick of the shootout. And, Mustang sophomore Devin Denman booted

in the winning goal.

Roche, Day, Sparks and senior Fernanda Velasco also converted in the

shootout.

Mesa will resume play Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. The Mustangs host Corona

del Mar, ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section Division IV, in a

first-place Pacific Coast League showdown.

-- Steve Virgen