Costa girls celebrate with Holiday soccer crown
Mira Costa’s Sara Chamberlain and Peninsula’s Sarah Moody battle for possession of the ball in the championship game of the South Holiday Tournament. Photo
Mira Costa’s girls soccer team kicked off its winter break by capturing the South Torrance Holiday Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Bay League rival Peninsula proving it will be a serious contender in what appears to be a tough battle for the league title.
Peninsula entered the week ranked No. 7 in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 poll right behind Palos Verdes which holds the No. 6 spot.
The young Mustangs improved their season record to 12-1 as Megan Mahoney, Kara Enamoto and Kimby Keever scored goals for Mira Costa and goalkeeper Nonie Frishette continued to dominate in the net making six saves.
Keever was named Tournament MVP and teammates Sara Chamberlain, Melina Cohen and Jenna McKinney were selected to the all-tournament team.
Mira Costa reached the championship match after shut outs against Marymount (4-0) in the semifinals and Notre Dame Academy (5-0) n the quarterfinals.
Allie Cambell, Megan Carver, Taylor Foland, Chamberlain and Mahoney each scored goals against Notre Dame in the Mustangs first game last Saturday. In the semifinal contest, Mandy McKeegan, Chamberlain, Keever and Mahoney recorded goals.
Mira Costa will enter Bay League competition on Tuesday, Jan. 10 with a 3 p.m. road game at West.
“I would say Peninsula and Redondo will be our big contenders in the Bay League,” Mira Costa head coach Patty Perkinson said. “But anything can happen in the Bay League. It always seems to be very strong.”
Redondo’s Samantha Witteman takes a shot against Marymount in a battle for third place in the South Holiday Tournament. Photo
In the third-place game, Redondo lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Marymount, the fourth-ranked team in Division 4. Samantha Witteman and goalkeeper Erinn Middo earned all-tournament honors for the Sea Hawks.
After sweeping opponents in pool play, Redondo defeated Valley Christian 5-0 before falling to Peninsula 2-2 (4-3 on penalty kicks). Tonya Gonzalez and Shannon Simon scored goals for the Sea Hawks who will compete in the San Pedro Tournament after returning from winter break.
Redondo will begin it quest for a Bay League title when the Sea Hawks travel to Peninsula for a 3 p.m. game on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
“The Bay League is one of the toughest leagues in the state,” Redondo head coach Shelly Marsden said. “On paper, Mira Costa could be the team to beat. Most of their players are good, very athletic and fast. Their coach always has them ready to go. Palos Verdes, who has come off a little bit of a dynasty, has some good incoming freshman to go with solid returners. They have a very good coach and will be very organized and very hungry. Peninsula had a very good team last year and returns almost everybody.”