Boys soccer: Eagles roll on, 2-0

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Objectivity isn’t part of the job description for

Estancia High boys soccer coach Steve Crenshaw. So, he could be excused

for his rather jaded description of the Eagles’ 2-0 Pacific Coast League

win Friday against cross-town visitor Costa Mesa.

“We were horrible,” said Crenshaw, obviously spoiled by a level of play

which has seen the Eagles (12-1-1, 5-0 in the PCL and ranked No. 2 in CIF

Southern Section Division IV) outscore opponents, 75-6.

“The worst thing that happened for us today was to get that early goal

(Cesar Terrones converting his own rebound in front in the second

minute). After that, we got real flat and I thought we lost our flow.”

Only the most discerning witness to the Eagles’ 10th shutout this season,

however, could offer anything but praise for, few would argue, the most

dominant team in the program’s history, including the 1985 section 2-A champions.

Costa Mesa Coach Mike Dunn is among the Eagles’ admirers.

“They have great speed, they’re the most composed they’ve been in years

and I’m pleased for them,” Dunn said. “I think they have a good shot at

winning (a CIF title).”

Dunn, who also had praise for his Mustangs (3-10-5, 0-3-2), singled out

Terrones as Estancia’s catalyst.

“He’s the hardest working kid I’ve seen,” Dunn said of the senior All-CIF

forward. “He covers a lot of the field and he’s a real trouble maker if

you’re playing against him. He’s a great scorer.”

Terrones proved troubling for Mesa from the outset. With fellow scoring

machine Esaul Mendoza sitting out, due to a mandatory one-game red-card

suspension, Terrones seized command early.

When his initial shot near the left post was stopped by Mesa keeper

Justin Schoettler, he merely flicked in the rebound.

Terrones and his teammates continued to apply pressure and Irving Islas

caromed a 25-yard drive off the lower half of the crossbar for the second

goal in the 14th minute.

“What can you say?” Dunn said. “That shot was well struck.”

The Eagles dominated play the rest of the half, but Mesa’s defense rose

to the challenge.

“I thought our defense did a good job,” Dunn said, crediting Brian Dunn,

Ryan Denman, David Jenkins, Louis Day and Schoettler, who made eight

saves.

Mesa had few attacks of its own, but senior Edson Cruz was at the center

of them. Cruz had the lone shot on goal for the visitors in the 72nd

minute, forcing Hilario Arriaga to post his only save.

Schoettler, who got the start with Jose Perez sitting out a red-card

suspension, made two spectacular saves in the first half. Chasen Marshall

also cleared a certain Estancia goal in the 63rd minute.

The win pushed the Eagles closer to wrapping up the league crown. They

moved five points ahead of second-place University (2-1-1 in league),

which had the league bye Friday.

Estancia, which has now outscored PCL foes, 22-1, is at Laguna Beach, an

8-0 first-round victim, Wednesday night.