Costa, Redondo advance to championship bracket in girls soccer tournament
Mira Costa’s Kimby Keever battles Torrance defender Brianna Brown and the rain during a non-league game on Monday. Keever scored twice in the Mustang’s 3-2 win. Photo
Mira Costa and Redondo went undefeated in pool play advancing to the championship bracket in the 34th annual South Holiday Girls Soccer Tournament hosted by South Torrance.
Nineteen of the 24 teams featured in the tournament reached the playoffs last season, providing a good litmus test for most teams playing who are playing in their first tournament of the season.
“This tournament is always fun and competitive,” Mira Costa head coach Patty Perkinson said. “We have only played the first two rounds and there are a lot of quality teams, but we’re hoping to capture the title at the South Tournament this time.”
Competing in Pool A, Mira Costa recorded two shutouts Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Torrance (ranked No. 5 in CIF Southern Section Division 4) and a 3-0 win against Santa Ana Valley.
Sophomore Kimby Keever scored two goals on the day and Alyssa Covarrubio, Mandy McKeegan and Savannah Sartini added one apiece. Goalkeepers Nonie Frishette and Monica DiFiori combined for nine saves in the two games.
The Mustangs will take on Notre Dame Saturday in an 11 a.m. contest at South High. The winner will advance to face the winner between South Torrance (No. 3 in Div. 4) and Marymount (No. 4 in Div. 4) at 3:30 p.m. The losers of each game will play one other at 3:30 p.m. on Field 3 in an attempt to reach the 5th-place game.
Championship games are scheduled for Monday at South beginning with the 5th-place game at 12 p.m., followed by the 3rd-place game at 1:30 p.m. and the championship game at 3 p.m.
Perkinson is optimistic the Mustangs will go deep in the tournament and looks for Keever, Kirby Benson and Melina Cohen to be key players this season.
“The strengths of our team this year are we have a very strong team on the field and on the bench,” Perkinson said. “We have such a good group of girls. We will be very deep on the bench this season, which every coach has to love. The chemistry is really coming together and the girls are now starting to play as a cohesive unit. With only two seniors this year, we have a very young team, but a veteran team.”
In assessing her team, Redondo head coach Shelly Marsden mirrored many of the feelings of her rival coach.
Sophomore Shannon Simon scored seven goals in two games to help Redondo advance to the championship bracket of the South Holiday Girls Soccer Tournament. File photo
“Redondo has always had a good soccer program with a lot of talent coming through,” Marsden said. “This year’s team has more depth, great team chemistry with amazing senior leadership.”
Redondo opened Pool E competition Saturday with two games played at North High. The Sea Hawks routed the host Saxons 10-2 before defeating Simi Valley 4-1.
Shannon Simon recorded seven goals in the two games, Samantha Witteman tallied three goals, Kristina Williamson scored twice and Brittany Oldham and Randie Vlahakis added one goal apiece.
Senior goalkeeper Erinn Middo made 17 saves in the two contests, earning praise for her coach.
“Erinn has suffered a lot of injuries her first three years but this season she’s strong and healthy,” Marsden said. “She’s a great communicator and her positive outlook brings out the best in everybody.”
Marsden said she also expects big years from seniors Witteman, who has committed to UC Berkeley, and Michelle Epp.
“Michelle Epp is a great playmaker as a midfielder and gives that foundation of stability that every teams needs,” Marsden explained.
Marsden is also excited about the future of Simon who is only a sophomore.
“Shannon is more technical than almost any player in her age group in the country,” Marsden said. “She can take a team on her shoulders although we really don’t need her to. Her playmaking and passing abilities make her teammates look good on the field.”
Redondo will play Valley Christian Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at South High. The winner will advance to take on the victor of the Peninsula (No. 7 in Div. 2)-Yorba Linda (No. 6 in Div. 3) match at 6:30 p.m. on Field 1. The losers of the two games will meet at 5 p.m. on Field 3.