Girls’ Soccer: Rosen wins it for CdM

MISSION VIEJO — Taylor Rosen is usually the forward who can be seen sprinting hard toward the ball for the Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team.

But in stoppage time in the second half Saturday, with the game still in doubt, the senior captain just hung back in the box at Mission Viejo High.

Rosen waited for a chance as junior teammate Liz Lamie booted in a corner kick from the left. It came, as the ball was deflected and bounced into the air.

Rosen delivered, heading it into the back of the net and delivering the winning goal as the Sea Kings outlasted Mission Viejo, 5-4, in a nonleague game.

The records seemed to suggest a more lopsided score. Corona del Mar (12-0-1) finished its first undefeated preseason in Coach Bryan Middleton’s 15-year tenure, while Mission Viejo (0-11-2) is still searching for its first win.

Still, the Diablos have played a very tough preseason schedule and certainly tested CdM. But, as it turned out, the Sea Kings were able to fight back.

“I’m just proud of us for pushing the whole time,” Rosen said. “Last year, we would give up when we went down a few goals. But this team, since we’re all pretty close, we just know that if we keep going and push through that we’ll get the results in the end. When other teams score, it just pushes us harder to try to get back in the game.”

Junior Ava McKenzie and freshman Megan Chelf each scored two first-half goals for CdM, which took a 4-3 advantage after a wild first half. McKenzie and Chelf are tied for the team lead, with 10 goals each.

McKenzie was there for a rebound goal in the third minute, after Mission Viejo goalie Paola Parra came out to block a chance at the top of the box to Rosen. CdM doubled its lead in the 23rd minute, as Lamie crossed it to Chelf near the top of the box. Chelf’s shot just glanced off the inside of the right post before going in.

But Mission Viejo did not fold. Kayla Miraftabi scored twice, the first goal on a free kick in by Kate Collins that was misplayed by the CdM defense. The second came after the ball was played forward to Miraftabi at the top of the box. Sea Kings keeper Ally Lozano (four saves) came out to challenge, but Miraftabi lifted it over her and into the back of the net.

The Diablos actually briefly took the lead, when Delaney Lindahl scored a rebound goal off a free kick.

“We’ve played some quality teams, but it’s also unfortunate [to be 0-11-2],” Mission Viejo Coach Kelly Anderson said. “Obviously, the record is what it is, but this was a good game to give our girls some confidence. That’s the most goals we’ve scored, so that was huge for us.”

CdM was still able to earn a 4-3 halftime lead after two late goals. Chelf headed in the first after a free kick from fellow freshman Trinity Rodman hit off the crossbar from 30 yards out. Then, just before halftime, McKenzie headed in a goal on Lamie’s corner kick.

The second half wasn’t quite as fast paced. It was also delayed for nearly five minutes, after the game was stopped with 30 minutes left due to a drone flying above the field.

Mission Viejo tied the score at 4-4 in the 65th minute, when Alyssa Sanchez headed in a goal off Marianna Maldonado’s corner kick. But CdM had an answer late, when the Sea Kings’ Rosen did the same.

It was the third assist of the game for Lamie, doubling her total for the season to six.

Middleton said the game reminded him of his team’s wild 5-3 victory at Oxnard on Dec. 10, when the Sea Kings lost a three-goal deficit before rallying late. The four goals allowed Saturday were the most that CdM has given up this season; the Sea Kings have scored 55 total goals while allowing just 12.

“But the good thing with this team is that they’re showing the grit, working through the game and still finishing it off,” Middleton said. “[This win] helps with momentum and confidence, putting that many goals away before you go into league, even though we have some defensive things to work on.

“I was impressed with our finishing off corner kicks today. That’s what we definitely need to execute going through league and into the playoffs. A lot of games are won simply on set pieces, especially in the playoffs when teams are playing really intense and the games are tight.”

CdM starts Pacific Coast League play next week against possibly its two biggest competitors for a league title. The Sea Kings play at Beckman on Tuesday and play host to University on Thursday. Defending league champion Northwood lost a lot from last season but also is expected to be competitive.

The Sea Kings have not won the league title since 2014, finishing third place the following year and in second last year.

“[Tuesday] is probably going to be one of our biggest games [in league],” Rosen said. “Since it’s at Beckman, they’re obviously more used to playing on their field than we are. But I think this win is definitely going to help, because now we can just keep our momentum going.”