It completed a remarkable run to the title for CdM (11-5), which defeated three of the four top seeds — Laguna Beach, Dos Pueblos and finally the Sailors — to win its second TOC title in three years.
In the semifinals earlier Saturday, CdM got by Dos Pueblos, 4-1, while Newport Harbor edged Foothill, 6-5.
CdM junior goalie Kate Baldoni, named the tournament MVP, said the dominant win over Dos Pueblos was just what the young Sea Kings needed headed into their game against Newport Harbor. The Sailors (15-2) had won the teams’ previous two meetings this season, including a 9-3 romp in the third-place game of the Holiday Cup on Dec. 29.
“I know all our girls really wanted to win this,” said Baldoni, who made nine saves in the title game and was joined on the all-tournament team by teammate Heather Van Hiel. “After the semifinal game, we all knew we could do it. We all knew we had it in us. We were well-prepared, and all we had to do was go out there and give it everything we’ve got.
“I think in the [Holiday Cup], we kind of lost our mental toughness. In this tournament, after winning the semifinal game, we had all the confidence we needed.”
But CdM, which had come back from a 4-1 halftime deficit to beat Laguna Beach in the quarterfinals Friday, had to pull off a similar feat against Newport Harbor. The Sailors showed their potent offense in the first half, cruising to a 5-2 halftime lead behind goals from five different players: Mimi Bury, Kimmy Morrison, Amanda Simons, Nicolina McCall and Jessica Robinson.
CdM Coach Aaron Chaney, however, still saw the determination in his players.
“When we played Newport the last time, I’m looking at them and kind of getting blank stares and not a lot of feedback,” Chaney said. “This time, I got fire in the eyes, even when we were down.”
