Mira Costa, Redondo soccer teams begin league play on downside
Mira Costa’s Kirby Benson, an All-Tournament selection at the South Holiday Tournament, has helped lead the Mustangs to a No. 4 ranking in CIF Division 2. Photo
The opening of Bay League competition didn’t go as planned for the boys and girls soccer teams from Mira Costa and Redondo Union High School. All four teams dropped their league openers, making Friday’s rivalry games between the two schools even more important with one of each game’s opponents remaining winless after two league games.
Girls Soccer
After a 2 ½ week layoff, Mira Costa and Redondo opened Bay League action Tuesday but it wasn’t the start each team was looking for.
The Mustangs were upset by visiting West 2-1 when the Warriors scored the game winner in the 73rd minute. Megan Carver scored the lone goal for Mira Costa.
Coach Patty Perkinson’s team plays at Redondo Friday and at Leuzinger next Tuesday. League games are scheduled for 3 p.m. starts.
Mira Costa had moved up to No. 3 in Division 2 after defeating Valley Christian 3-0 to finish the South Holiday Tournament in fifth place. Kimby Keever, Jojo Mahoney and Rachel Oster each scored once and goalkeeper Nonie Frischette recorded two saves for the win.
Kirby Benson represented Mira Costa on the All-Tournament Team.
Coach Shelly Marsden’s Redondo squad opened league competition with a disappointing 4-0 home lost against Peninsula. After Friday’s game with visiting Mira Costa, the Sea Hawks play at West next Tuesday.
Redondo tied Torrance 2-2 but lost to the Tartars 4-3 on penalty kicks in the third-place game in the South Holiday Tournament. Torrance is ranked No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 poll.
Shannon Simon and the Redondo Sea Hawks will look to even their league record when they host Mira Costa Friday at 3 p.m. Photo
Tonya Gonzalez and Shannon Simon were named to the All-Tournament Team.
In a non-league contest following the tournament, Redondo dropped a 3-2 contest to visiting South, the No. 1 ranked team in Division 4.
Boys Soccer
Mira Costa dropped its Bay League opener Tuesday with a 2-1 double-overtime loss at West. Brandon Tsuha scored the lone goal for the Mustangs on a free kick in the 48th minute.
Goalkeeper Madison Gesser kept Mira Costa (5-5-1) in the game recording 11 saves.
Coach Gary Smith’s Mustangs will host rival Redondo Friday and Leuzinger (No. 4, Div. 1) next Tuesday. League games are set to begin at 3 p.m.
Mira Costa entered Bay League competition on a high note after scoring two goals in the second half to defeat Pioneer League power North Torrance 2-1 in a non-league contest on Thursday.
Travis Bradford scored on a penalty kick to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead and Sebastian Thomas scored the eventual game winner. Gesser recorded three saves for the win.
Coach Ingnacio Lopez’s Redondo squad began its quest for a Bay League title Tuesday with a road game at Peninsula where it lost 1-0
After the Sea Hawks travel to Mira Costa Friday, they host West next Tuesday.
Redondo entered league play after beating Beverly Hills 1-0 in a non-league contest on Friday.
During the holiday break, Redondo reached the finals of the Huntington Beach Holiday Tournament. Colin Jackson scored twice in 2-1 win over Newport Harbor and Gio Partida scored in a 1-1 (3-1 on penalty kicks) win over Ocean View.
In the championship game, Redondo and St. John Bosco went scoreless through regulation and overtime periods but the Sea Hawks were defeated 5-4 on penalty kicks. Goalkeeper Griffin Thomas had a stellar game, holding St. John Bosco scoreless for 100 minutes