Mira Costa’s boys soccer team entered the week undefeated after winning three games at the Santa Barbara High School Showcase.
The Mustangs, ranked No. 4 in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 with a 7-0 record, defeated Channel Islands 3-0, Ventura 4-1 and San Clemente (No. 6, Div. 1) in a close match 2-0. Mira Costa outscored opponents 19-3 in the six wins.
Mira Costa shutout Peninsula 1-0 in its Bay League opener on Tuesday and will host Palos Verdes on Friday followed by a home game against El Segundo (No. 8, Div. 3) on Tuesday. All games are scheduled for 3 p.m.
“We have a very strong team this year and our record is no fluke,” head coach Gary Smith stated. “I want to recognize my assistant coach Al Brown, who has absolutely taken over the coaching on the field. Al is a former player of mine who has been involved for over 10 years.”
Senior captain and forward Josh Gaudiano heads a list of strong players for Mira Costa. He has scored nine goals with three assists in seven games.
Other key players include: senior forward Max Haber (4 goals, 1 assist), senior midfielder Pedro Rodriguez-Borlado, senior midfielder Reed Hildyard, senior defenders and co-captains Malcolm Kluth and Ian Sinkowitz, senior defender Colton Flake and junior midfielder Carson Nguyen.
Senior goalkeeper Zachary Cochran has recorded three shutouts while posting a 0.25 Goals Against Average.
“We have seven returners who all feel as though they have unfinished business from last year, and we’ve done a good job reminding them that they are just as capable as anyone,” Brown said. “We have a strong belief in being relentless, physically and psychologically.”
Mira Costa’s preseason was grueling for the players as they have met once a week at Brown’s s gym named Gate 14 in El Segundo. Brown is excited to watch the dividends of his high intensity regimen pay off.
“This is a strong group of players,” Brown added. “They have started to congeal and have learned how to combine their various club teams into one coherent style of play. Probably the highest soccer IQ of any team we’ve had, but we are still working on using that intellect to our advantage.”
Mira Costa and Redondo will join many South Bay teams in the South Holiday Classic beginning Thursday, Dec 20. Mira Costa opens with San Clemente (No. 6, Div. 1) and Redondo takes on South East (South Gate).
Girls Soccer
Mira Costa (No. 7, Div. 2) began the week undefeated with a 5-0 record and will take on North Torrance and Culver City Saturday in their pool games of the South High Tournament on Saturday.
Redondo’s girls soccer team entered a tough week with a 4-1 record after defeating Marymount Redondo will play Immaculate Heart and El Segundo on Saturday in pool games of the South High Tournament.
Girls Water Polo
The Redondo girls water polo team (No. 2, Div. 3) began its season with a 6-0 record after defeating Palos Verdes 10-3 in its Bay League opener against Palos Verdes on Tuesday.
Redondo was coming off a fine performance where the Sea Hawks won the Gray Division of the Villa Park Classic with a 15-6 win over La Serna and a 13-8 victory over Santa Monica.
In the championship game, Kennedy East and Klara Goldstein each scored four goals to lead Redondo.
The Sea Hawks travel to Peninsula today before hosting Rosary Academy on Tuesday and Temple City on Friday, Dec. 21.
“I am very excited for this season with these girls,” Redondo coach Shelby Haroldson said. “We are pretty strong and have more depth than we’re used to. We are still a young team, but with the bulk of our line up playing with each other last year, the girls are more comfortable and confident in each other. It should be a good season with top players Kennedy East, Klara Goldstein, Brooklyn Behenna, Tarah Schaffer and Kathy Wrightsman.”
