Mira Costa, Redondo boys and girls set for Bay League soccer title runs

Redondo’s Dylan O’Neill heads the ball during a game against Torrance. Photo

With an impressive non-league season complete, Mira Costa’s boys soccer team is geared up to make a strong run for the Bay League title.

Mira Costa has an 11-0-3 record and is ranked No. 3 in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 after routing Leuzinger 9-1 on Tuesday.

The Mustangs defeated Lawndale 3-1 final nob-league tuneup on Friday. Dillan Argue scored in the first half to tie the game 1-1. In the second half, Josh Gaudiano scored twice. Zachary Cochran played in goal the first half and Drew Rohm played the second half.

The Mustangs opened Bay League action last month with a 1-0 win at Peninsula and a 4-3 home victory against Palos Verdes. Mira Costa plays at Centennial Friday before hosting rival Redondo on Tuesday, Jan. 15. All games are played at 3 p.m.

In the South Holiday Tournament, Mira Costa tied two games but both times the foes advanced on penalty kick shootouts. The Mustangs defeated Bishop Montgomery 3-0 in their final game.

“Josh (Gaudiano) now has 14 goals and 4 assists,” Mira Costa head coach Gary Smith said. “Malcolm Kluth and Colton Flake have been fantastic as our two center backs. Zachary Cochran has been very good in goal while Al Brown has continued to do a great job coaching and making all the lineup decisions.

“As for the Bay League title race, I truly believe that we are the team to beat. So far we have proven that. We have moved up to number 3 in the top 10 rankings in CIF Division 1. However, it will surely be a four-team race with us, Palos Verdes, Redondo and Peninsula. Leuzinger and Centennial have their work cut out for them.”

Redondo (12-5-1) defeated Torrance 5-2 Friday in its final non-league contest then shuout Palos Verdes 5-0 on Tuesday. The Sea Hawkzs will play at Peninsula Friday leading up to their showdown with Mira Costa.

“At the beginning of the pre season we didn’t have all the players do to commitments with their respective club teams,” Redondo coach Nacho Lopez said. “In the South High Tournament we did really well, winning four and losing only to Santa Barbara.”

Lopez gives credit to forwards Noah Tistovski (All-Tournament in the South Tournament) and Alex Moralez, midfielders Logan Koufman and Lucas Hazen along with defenders Ethan Szuchan, Eli Ristovski and Matthew Mooney.

Redondo girls excel

Redondo’s girls soccer team entered the week with an impressive 14-2 record (No. 7, Div. 2) behind the coaching of Shelly Marsden.

The Sea Hawks closed out their non-league schedule Thursday with a 3-1 victory against Culver City when Carolyn Koutures broke a 1-1 tie with a goal in the 69th minute. Zoe Want sealed the win with a header to give Redondo its final goal.

On Tuesday, Redondo finished with a 0-0 tie after two overtime periods at Palos Verdes and will travel up the hill to face Peninsula on Friday before hosting rival Mira Costa Tuesday in a 6 p.m. contest.

In the South Holiday Tournament, Redondo finished third after dropping only its second game of the season 4-2, on penalty kicks, to Santa Monica. Junior forward Sophie Crouts and senior forward Saige Stock were named to the All-Tournament team.

Mira Costa (10-3) is coming off a pair of Bay League shutouts beating Peninsula 3-0 on Monday and Leuzinger 8-0 on Tuesday. The Mustangs will travel to Palos Verdes on Thursday, host Centennial on Friday then travel to take on rival Redondo on Tuesday.

It’s an open field for Bay League,” Mira Costa coach Patty Perkinson said. “All teams will be strong. As for A players sticking out on Mira Costa, well I think it’s an even team. Our team has chemistry and it’s all falling into place at the right time – just before league begins. It’s a team effort.”

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