Bryce Alderton
Before Wednesday's nonleague boys soccer game, Sage Hill High
Coach Noureddine El Alam said Corona del Mar would be one of the
toughest opponents the Lightning face this season.
The Sea Kings (4-1) played the part with their experience and
quickness, giving the Lightning (4-1-1) its first loss of the season
in shutout fashion, 7-0, at CdM High.
Corona scored five second-half goals to break the game open.
Corona junior forwards Julien Cerutti and Danny Whitaker each scored
two goals with Brandon Barrett, Chris Ringstrom and Ryan Tamez
tallying single goals for the victors.
CdM fired 44 shots to Sage Hill's four. Cerutti sent 11 shots on
Lightning goalkeeper Trevor Granger, who made 16 saves before giving
way to Ethan Tanney for the final 10 minutes.
"We didn't score too many goals in the first half, but we
eventually took advantage of it," said CdM Coach Pat Callaghan about
Sage Hill's defensive scheme. "I told them at halftime that (Sage
Hill's) defenders were packing it in toward the back so we tried to
utilize space to open things up a little more. We concentrated on
more movement and getting the balls in early behind the defense and
bring players in to challenge on goal."
Callaghan's strategy paid off in the first minute after halftime.
Senior Ryan Tamez, running along the right side of the field toward
the 18-yard box, took a pass kicked from the midfield area and
blasted the ball into the right side of the net to increase Corona's
cushion to 3-0.
The Sea Kings would score 16 minutes later on a 2-on-1 break.
Junior Dominic Rubino crossed left to a wide-open Brandon Barrett
standing at the corner of the 18-yard box and the sophomore
midfielder promptly kicked the ball into the net for a 4-0 Sea King
lead.
Any intensity and determination Sage Hill had to that point was
gone following Barrett's goal, El Alam said.
"We gave up after their fourth goal and that's the only thing I'm
worried about," El Alam said. "(CdM) has great players, but this game
is more psychological than anything else. Usually we put in the best
efforts against the good teams and that was my hope today but it
didn't happen. This is a good squad and we will do well this season.
The kids like each other."
Sage Hill junior fullback Braden Barnett shouted words of
encouragement to his teammates despite the 6-0 deficit at one point
in the second half.
"Come on guys let's not give up," Barnett said. "We have only a
short time left so let's make the most of it."
