Prep sports updates: Costa falls in Division 2 girls soccer finals

Junior midfielders Rachel Rosen (shown heading the ball) and Grace Watkins played key roles to Mira Costa’s success this season. Photo

A questionable call may have prevented Mira Costa’s girls soccer team from its first CIF title when the Mustangs fell to second-seeded Sunny Hills 2-1 in the Division 2 championship game held Saturday at Warren High School.

Sunny Hills (26-1-4) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after scoring in the second minute but Mira Costa (21-2-3) fought back with a 25-yard goal by Sydney Miyasaki in the 49th minute.

With five minutes left in regulation, Mira Costa came close to tying the game when a shot bounced off the ground and into the arms of a Sunny Hills defender. The Mustangs, however, were denied a penalty kick by the referee.

It was the first championship match for Mira Costa since 2000 while Sunny Hills snapped a four-game losing streak in title games.

In Division 3, El Segundo’s boys team captured the title with a 2-1 overtime victory against West Torrance. Jack Finders won the game with a goal that gave the Eagles (23-1-1) their second consecutive CIF championship.

Baseball

Redondo’s Jake Thau pitched a complete game shutout while striking out nine and allowing only two hits in a 1-0 win against El Segundo.The Sea Hawks them suffered their first loss of the season, a 5-3 defeat at the hands of South High.

Redondo begins plays in the El Segundo Tournament Friday with a 3:15 p.m. game against Torrance followed by a 6 p.m. contests against San Pedro on Saturday and Long Beach Wilson on Tuesday.

After suffering three straight losses in the Newport Elks Tournament, Mira Costa routed El Segundo 9-0 on Monday. The Mustangs will host Gahr at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Softball

After dropping a 9-6 decision to visiting North, Mira Costa begins the Katella Tournament with an 11 a.m. game against Mayfair followed by a 1 p.m. game against Katella on Saturday.

The Mustangs host West in a double header at Marine Park on Tuesday then resume play in the Katella Tournament facing Santiago on Thursday, Mar. 7, University Prep Mar. 9) and Pioneer (Mar. 9).

Redondo hosts Saint Joseph of Lakewood Wednesday at 3 p.m. then resumes action in the Brea Olinda Tournament against the host team on Thursday. The Sea Hawks are 1-2 in the tournament.

Redondo will host Culver City on Friday before a road game at Banning on Wednesday, Mar. 6 and a home contest against South on Thursday, Mar. 7.

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