Pilot Cup: Lincoln scores in bunches
When it comes to youth soccer, the team that clumps together usually slumps together.
For the girls’ third- and fourth-grade Silver Division team from Lincoln Elementary, spreading out Thursday allowed the Leopards to pounce from the periphery on their way to a 5-1 triumph over Kaiser in the Daily Pilot Cup at Costa Mesa High.
Lauren Jones had three goals and an assist to pace the winners, who amassed a 27-2 advantage in shots by controlling possession and, for the most part, applying relentless pressure.
Savannah Grange had one goal and one assist, while Kate Miller added a goal for Lincoln, which has now outscored its two tournament opponents, 9-1.
JoJo Grange and Milan Bever also contributed assists for Lincoln, for which Ellie Liberto controlled things on the back line.
Mini Holmberg booted in a free kick from the top of the box to erase a 1-0 deficit for Kaiser just 11 minutes into the contest. And the Knights did not have another shot until the end of the second 25-minute half.
Jones, who had three goals in the team’s 4-0 win in the first round of pool play, was the most skilled of the Leopards, often using deft dribbling skills to work around defenders and create shots for herself, or opportunities to find open teammates.
Savannah Grange, Miller, Bever and Liberto were most prominent for Lincoln, which also relied upon Hailey Shaw, Emily Chanawatr, Avery Charlesworth, Rachel O’Sullivan and goalkeeper Jenna Grange.
“It all worked out to a good plan of how to attack,” said Steve Jones, who shared Lincoln coaching duties with Chad Liberto. “We wanted to spread the ball out, spread to the wings and let our players just attack. And we have really good athletes. We are fortunate to have very fast girls, which helps.”
The Leopards appear to learn and improve as quickly as they run.
“[Our first game] there was a lot of clumping in the middle,” Steve Jones said. “Now, you could see how it started to be a little bit better soccer. When we were able to spread out more, it benefited us with the speed that we have.”
Kaiser Coach Troy Golshan, whose Knights tied Paularino, 2-2, behind a pair of goals from Lucy Toohey in their previous game, also had plenty of praise to spread liberally among his players.
“It was a fun game,” Golshan said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, because [Lincoln] beat [Paularino], 4-0. But I’m proud of my girls. They did a great job.”
Kaiser goalkeeper Mia Greig-Ragen was the busiest of the Knights, amassing 12 saves and constantly charging from her line to smother the ball and quell several scoring chances for Lincoln.
Holmberg and Bella Chenier were among those who generated some offensive momentum for Kaiser, for which the back line of Breckyn Burg, Toohey, Darya Golshan and Ellie Fivie stepped up to consistently clear the ball or block and deflect Leopards’ shots.
Ellie Sparks, Kylee Ross and Elaya Gouz also contributed for Kaiser, for which Aviv Golan is on the roster, but was unable to attend Thursday.
Savannah Grange, the most involved of the Grange triplets Thursday, opened the scoring in the sixth minute by punching in an assist by Bever.
Savannah Grange peppered a shot on goal 10 minutes later that Jones redirected into the net after collecting the rebound off of a Kaiser defender.
A Jones cross set up Miller who scored to make it 3-1 just before the end of the opening half and Jones made a steal, dribbled past one defender and deposited the ball in the net in the 35th minute to help insure a decisive win.
A cross by JoJo Grange set up Jones for the final goal, as Lincoln earned a berth in a Saturday quarterfinal at 9 a.m. against an opponent to be determined.