Girls’ Soccer: Estancia breaks through
COSTA MESA — Youth and high energy helped the Estancia High girls’ soccer team out of its funk of complacency.
Freshman Emily Rodriguez, a recent call-up from the junior varsity team, scored two goals to lead the Eagles to a 3-0 Orange Coast League victory over rival Costa Mesa Tuesday at Jim Scott Stadium.
Estancia (6-2-11, 2-0-5 in league) had five straight ties entering Tuesday’s match against the Mustangs.
But the Eagles appeared determined to earn the win from the outset.
Rodriguez scored her first goal a little less than two minutes into the game, when sophomore Sarah Leahy found her with a nice cross. Leahy also assisted on the second goal for Rodriguez when she scored in the 15th minute with another cross.
Estancia Coach Jessica Perry said she promoted Rodriguez from the JV team because Rodriguez had been scoring several goals and she wanted to add some scoring punch to the varsity squad.
She also wanted to motivate the girls on the varsity team with a freshman coming up.
Rodriguez was just happy for the opportunity to play on the varsity team. She said she wasn’t sure how many goals she scored for the junior varsity team, but it reached in double figures.
Leahy said it was extra special to have their second league win come against their rivals, who fell to 0-6 in league.
“It feels good to get the ball into the back of the net,” she said. “And, it just feels good to get the ‘W.’”
Sophomore Alba Barrios scored for Estancia in the second half, in the 48th minute. Her unassisted goal came from about 30 yards out.
Costa Mesa Coach Tamiko Davila said the Eagles’ strong start was too difficult to overcome. He did see his team play stronger after giving up the two goals but the damage had already been done.
The Eagles have a crucial league game at Saddleback (3-2-2 in league) on Thursday.
Twitter: @SteveVirgen