Boys Grades 3-4: Andersen undefeated and untouchable

COSTA MESA - It’s always nice to see familiar faces.

And as Andersen Coach King Nelson said, it’s even better to play with

familiar faces.

“Half of the kids played (on last year’s championship team),” Nelson

said.

Through the first two games, Andersen looks like it hasn’t lost a step

since last year’s championship run.

Thursday’s tilt with Our Lady Queen of Angels (2) was no different, as

Andersen cruised to an8-0 win, duplicating its 8-0 win over Newport

Heights Wednesday.

Andersen scored early and often in the first half, pulling out to a

5-0 lead by halftime on goals from Parker Stone and Randall Nelson.

Andersen players spread out on the field on several occasions, opening

up the field so players could dribble the ball down the right or left

side and make a centering pass to a player running up the center of the

field. Sometimes a player tried to head the ball into the net.

“We try to set it up wide and center it at the goal,” Nelson said.

“They anticipate which way they’re going.”

In the second half, Andersen’s Dillon Campbell put on the

after-burners and sprinted down the right side of the field, centering a

pass that turned into an assist.

After an Our Lady Queen of Angels penalty kick, Nelson surged up the

right side of the field and kicked toward a streaking Brian Ford on the

right side, who put the ball in the net for Andersen’s seventh score.

Hunter Meece split two defenders and romped his way up the field for

Andersen’s eighth and final goal. Michael Pawell also scored for

Andersen.

Emery Molnar made two saves on penalty kicks for Andersen.

Both teams ball handling skills improved as the game wore on. Parker

Retuer dribbled the ball well for Our Lady Queen of Angels.

Strong defense for Our Lady Queen of Angels was provided by D.J.

Hauser, who made a sliding stop on Ford in the second half as he sped

upfield toward the net.

Andersen could have scored more, but Our Lady Queen of Angels goalie

Andrew Groke made a sliding save on a penalty kick in the first half.