CdM eighth-grade girls storm to championship

Before a championship game for the Corona del Mar eighth-grade girls’ soccer team, Coach Bryan Middleton told his girls to come out aggressively from the start against Ensign.

Apparently the girls got the message, scoring three goals in the first six minutes en route to a 6-3 win for the Coastal Athletic League title Monday at the Costa Mesa Farm Complex.

“Coach told us to jump on them early to send a message that we were the team to beat,” said Karsten Sigband, CdM’s center midfielder and playmaker.

Emily Krebs scored three goals and Monica Venturini added two. Annie Alvarado scored once for CdM, which led, 4-1, at halftime.

CdM’s offensive outburst was aided by Sigband, Nikki Muelhausser, Hannah Walker, Alexa Mamatas, Kylie Mulvaney, Olivia Dajee and Courtney Brown.

CdM’s defense was anchored by Noelle Gooding, Alana Hunter, Chelsea Chiapuzio, Kiana Schwenk-Mueller, Katie Curci, and Paige Larsh. Goalie Kassie Columbo preserved the victory making several remarkable saves.

“This team is among the best I’ve seen at this age group,” Middleton said. “They’ve lost only one game in the past two years defeating Ensign in the championship game last year as well. Corona del Mar High School will be adding a freshman-sophomore team in the 2009-2010 season to make room for all the talent in this group.”

Corona del Mar’s seventh-grade soccer team also had success on Monday night defeating Sowers Middle School from Huntington Beach. Molly Keasey scored the game-winner in the second half to secure the 2-1 victory.

Middleton now has seven junior high girls’ soccer league titles at CdM in the last 4 years.

— Submitted by Gunnar Gooding