Costa Mesa girls clinch

Mustangs win their 46th consecutive Golden West League game and fourth straight league title.SANTA ANA -- Going into Tuesday’s Golden West League match against Saddleback, Costa Mesa Coach Dan Johnston felt a little conflicted.

On one hand, his team had the advantage on the Roadrunners’ wide home field because of its superior speed. On the other hand, he felt Saddleback would get a lift from having star midfielder Jessica Godinez back -- she had to sit out the teams’ previous meeting because of a red card.

The Godinez factor paid dividends for Saddleback in the first half, as she scored a goal off a free kick to tie the score. It marked the first goal Costa Mesa has allowed in league action this season.

In the second half, awakened by Saddleback’s physical play, Costa Mesa started using its speed and netted three unanswered goals en route to a 4-1 victory, which clinched its fourth consecutive Golden West League title and marked the team’s 46th consecutive league victory.

Jasmin Day scored off a corner kick from Kyla Flores in the third minute of the game. She closed the match with a goal from 20 yards out, putting the game out of reach.

“I haven’t lost a league game since my freshman year,� said Day, whose two goals give her 15 this season.

Day is tied with Sharon Frazier for the team lead in goals, after Frazier netted her 15th early in the second half. Day dished the ball to Flores down the right side, who sent a crossing pass. Frazier gathered the ball and beat Saddleback goalkeeper Ruby Lopez on the near side to give the Mustangs a 2-1 lead.

The Roadrunners started getting physical at that point, using their size to try to keep the Mustangs off the ball. But Saddleback’s tactics only made the Mustangs more aggressive.

After Godinez hit the post from 20 yards out and Katie Finn made a diving save on Priscilla Garcia’s close shot from a sharp angle, the Mustangs countered.

Frazier beat Lopez to a loose ball just outside Saddleback’s 18-yard box and crossed it to Flores, who fired into the vacated net to give the Mustangs a 3-1 lead.

“They came out and got chippy on us in the second half,� Johnston said. “You should always let sleeping giants lie. Once we got that look in our eyes, I knew it was over.�

Costa Mesa knew there was a possibility the game could get overly physical.

“We planned on it,� Day said. “I told everyone to watch out and protect yourself.�

Instead of buckling under the physical pressure, Costa Mesa turned its game up. The Mustangs continued to go hard after loose balls and controlled the game in the second half.

Kailey Carich, Mikyla Lux and Caitlyn Duffy led a Costa Mesa defensive effort that held Saddleback scoreless in the second half.

Costa Mesa (14-3-2, 10-0 in league) beat Saddleback, 17-2, on 50-50 balls in the second half after a subpar first half.

“They outplayed us in the first half,� Johnston said.

Costa Mesa, ranked No. 7 in CIF Southern Section Division III, has two league games left before heading into the playoffs, where it feels it can do some damage.

“I think if we all pull together and keep our passing game up, we can go all the way,� Day said.

Golden West League

Costa Mesa 4, Saddleback 1

Score by Halves