Pirates give up win, tie

COSTA MESA — The Orange Coast College women’s soccer team controlled the ball nearly the whole game Wednesday, racking up handfuls of scoring opportunities along the way.

But all visiting Palomar needed was a bouncing ball in the box to stun the Pirates.

Palomar’s Stephanie Dickinson scored off a corner kick in the 90th minute, helping the Comets earn the 2-2 nonconference tie at OCC.

Orange Coast (1-1-1) certainly didn’t feel fit to be tied, though. Not after Coach Kevin Smith’s squad outshot Palomar, 18-4.

“It’s tough to see everyone work so hard and not get the win,” said sophomore forward Beth Krikorian, who scored one of Coast’s two first-half goals. “It’s just about being a team, though, and working through what we did wrong, focus on what we did right and take it from there. We’re doing so much better, though. That’s probably the strongest team we’ve played yet ... For the most part, it was awesome. I’m proud of [my teammates].”

The Pirates looked dominant early. Sophomore forward Kaleigh Trider, a Corona del Mar High product, delivered just a minute after she was inserted midway through the first half. Her goal in the 26th minute, off a cross from freshman midfielder Julia Borkenhagen, helped OCC to the early lead.

Nine minutes later, Krikorian, a Costa Mesa native who played for Calvary Chapel in high school, took her turn. She broke through the box on the right side, taking another precise cross from Borkenhagen and lifting it over the goalie for a 2-0 advantage.

“To be honest, it was all the pass,” said Krikorian, who was a first-team All-Orange Empire Conference selection a year ago. “I stuck my foot out and hoped for the best. Julia’s known for her perfect ball; I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Orange Coast maintained its advantage. Sophomore Teresa Warner, along with freshmen Kaylee Schneekluth, Lara Tishler and Cindy Rodriguez, helped control the midfield, much to the delight of the vocal OCC men’s water polo team members in attendance.

Pirates defenders, including sophomore CdM product Stephanie Brown, Jessica Bynum and Brianna Vanderwal, didn’t have to worry too much. Palomar (0-0-2) didn’t even take its first shot of the game until the 52nd minute, when sophomore goalie Caitlin Schott (two saves) ranged right to stop the blast.