Redondo’s girls soccer playoff run ends in marathon loss; Mira Costa advances
Redondo junior Shannnon Simon (right) battles Great Oak’s Brie Diaz during the Sea Hawk’s second-round loss in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs. Photo
Playing its second seeded team in two games, the Redondo Union girls soccer team saw its hopes of a CIF title dashed Tuesday when it took a remarkable 42 penalty kicks to decide a winner.
After playing to a scoreless tie through overtime, visiting Great Oak of Temecula emerged victorious, outshooting the Sea Hawks 20-19 on penalty kicks.
“I have never seen or heard of any game that went that many penalty kicks much less been involved in one,” Redondo head coach Shelly Marsden said. “We had spent a lot of time working on our penalty kicks in anticipation of a CIF game getting resolved in this fashion. I was impressed with how well we handled the pressure as that is tough to create at practice.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Marissa Marshall kept Redondo in the game, recording 10 saves during regulation and overtime periods. The Sea Hawks, who finished third in the Bay League, completed the season with a 13-5-4 record.
“The loss stings because I think we played very well,” Marsden added. “We created chances, we defended as a team, and shot very well in penalty kicks only to be emotionally crushed in defeat. The team was peaking at exactly the right time and I think we had the team chemistry and ability to go all the way. The only thing that lessens the heartbreak is that Great Oak is also a very strong team and played very well.
“As sad as I am for the girls that the road ends here, I think as they look back on this season they will be proud of their accomplishments. We had four 100-minute overtime games this month and had not lost since January 11th. They gave everything they had and their families, our school, and myself had the pleasure and great pride of watching them compete. Their mental toughness, soccer ability, and sportsmanship made us all very proud.”
Eight-seeded Great Oak (17-2-3) advances to face second-seeded Chino Hills (19-3-4) in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 quarterfinals.
While Redondo was dealing with its disappointing loss, in Manhattan Beach rival Mira Costa was celebrating its 4-2 victory over Temecula Valley.
Jojo Mahoney scored two first-half goals to help Mira Costa advance to the Division 2 quarterfinals. Photo
Samantha Sartini assisted on each goal with Jojo Mahoney scoring two in the first half and Melina Cohen duplicating the feat in the second half.
Mustang goalkeeper Nonie Frishette recorded eight saves in the win.
Fifth-seeded Mira Costa (17-2-4) advances to the quarterfinals and will play at No. 4 Westlake (17-2-1) Thursday at 5 p.m.
In Division 4, top-seeded South Torrance (25-0-6) remained unbeaten with a 2-1 road win over Warren. The Spartans host No. 10 Artesia (19-4-3) in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Seventh-seeded Torrance (19-3-2) edged No. 8 Lancaster 1-0 on the road and will host second-seeded Downey (19-3-2) on Thursday.
Vistamar (8-5-6) lost its Division 7 second-round game at No.5 Crossroads 4-1.