Steve Crenshaw

Luis Mendoza scored four goals to lead the Estancia High boys soccer team to a 5-1 nonleague victory over visiting Santa Margarita Wednesday. Rafael Hernandez also scored for Estancia (1-1), which never trailed and gained assists from Mendoza, Narciso Lumbreras and two from Quiroga Campos. Estancia goalkeeper Uber Gallegos recorded four saves. "This team is very talented," Estancia Coach Steve Crenshaw said. "We played a beautiful game." Estancia will host Marina Friday at 3:15 p.m. CdM stays unbeaten SOCCER: Senior Chris Ringstrom scored a hat trick as Corona del Mar's boys soccer team registered a 3-2 road victory over Santa Ana Valley Wednesday.

Joseph Boo COSTA MESA - Laguna Beach High's boys soccer team, 3-7-1 entering Wednesday's game against host Estancia, was the underdog. Behind Esaul Mendoza's hat trick, the Eagles made sure Laguna Beach stayed that way and dispatched the Artists, 8-0, in a Pacific Coast League game. "We had fun scoring," Estancia Coach Steve Crenshaw said. "We came in with intensity and played hard the whole game." There was a time when Laguna Beach, as late as two years ago, was the PCL powerhouse.

Steve Virgen COSTA MESA - Alfonso Pineda is a freshman, but it sure hasn't taken him long to realize the emotion demanded in a boys soccer game against crosstown rival Estancia. After scoring his second goal, which delivered the 3-1 knockout over Pacific Coast League visitor Estancia Friday, Pineda displayed the male version of Brandy Chastain and stripped off his shirt in celebration. Costa Mesa Coach Eugene Day quickly reprimanded Pineda with a seat on the bench, but the damage had already been done: The Mustangs (12-3-2, 6-0-2 in the PCL)

Steve Virgen In what Estancia High boys athletic director Tim Parsel described as "an embarrassment," five players and Coach Steve Crenshaw of the Eagles' boys soccer team were issued red cards in a game against Ocean View Jan. 27. The aftershocks of Estancia's situation are still felt as three of the players, all starters, were handed two-game suspensions for their actions in the game, which was called early in...

Steve Virgen It seems only fitting Estancia High is hosting the Golden West League track and field finals. After all, the Estancia boys team did win the championship last year. However, this season does not appear as if it will end the same way. The Eagles are back to defend their crown, but they will have to do so without the leadership and athleticism of Humberto Rojas, who has gone on to star at Orange Coast College. The Estancia boys, 1-3 in the Golden West League, will have to settle to be represented in individual events.

Steve Virgen ANAHEIM - The Estancia High Eagles learned they still have some growing up to do after a 4-1 nonleague boys soccer loss at Servite Friday. The Friars (2-0) took advantage of the Eagles' frustration with the officials. One red card and two yellow cards were assessed against Estancia in the second half, when Servite outshot the Eagles, 11-3. Servite scored three goals to Estancia's one over the final 45 minutes. Down, 2-0, Estancia sophomore Noe Martinez fed a pass to Nikolia Doudtchenko, who sped toward Servite's net and drew a foul in box. Martinez then shot successfully on the penalty kick in the 45th minute.

Barry Faulkner COSTA MESA - Estancia High senior Armando Ortiz, who collected seven varsity letters in baseball and soccer and helped the Eagles win a CIF Southern Section Division IV soccer title as a junior, has been selected by school administrators as the Eagles' Boys Athlete of the Year. A versatile midfielder in soccer and a shortstop and pitcher on the diamond, Ortiz played four years of varsity baseball. As a freshman, he garnered Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week recognition, proving himself worthy of varsity competition.

Tony Altobelli COSTA MESA - Estancia High boys soccer Coach Steve Crenshaw isn't expecting a whole lot of sympathy from opponents this year after losing more talent in one year than some programs see in a decade. "Orange County may not ever see a team with as much talent as that," Crenshaw said of his 21-1 CIF Southern Section Division IV champion team from a year ago. "We were ranked 10th in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association and it was a special group to coach."

Tony Altobelli COSTA MESA - Estancia High boys soccer coach Steve Crenshaw says his team usually needs a few games before his team's offense is able to find the back of the net. That's a pretty scary thought considering the numbers the Eagles have put up this season, thanks in large part to senior Esaul (pronounced es-sa-ool) Mendoza. In the five games played thus far, Estancia has put up a whopping 21 goals, while holding their opponents to only four.