Case lifts CdM again
COSTA MESA — Mason Case fractured his back before the start of last season. He missed a lot of time with the Corona del Mar High boys’ soccer team.
Case is healthy this season. The Sea Kings, ranked No. 2 in the state by ESPN RISE, have needed Case with four key starters out.
He has responded in CdM’s first two matches, by breaking the opponent’s back. Two matches, two game-winners from Case.
The latest one by the junior lifted CdM past host Estancia, 2-1, on a cold Wednesday night. The back felt fine to Case afterward, his stomach not so much.
No soccer player can stomach a kick in the belly.
Eleven minutes after Case headed in a goal to put CdM ahead for good in the 56th minute, Estancia’s Cristian Montillo kicked Case in the stomach. The two battled for the ball in the air near the Estancia sideline.
When Case crashed to the ground, a frustrated Montillo cleated the midfielder. To the surprise of many, Montillo received a yellow card, instead of a red card.
The nonleague match was a heated one. Case understood why.
“We beat them pretty easily last year,” said Case, who played hurt when the Sea Kings defeated Estancia, 5-1, on the same field. “They are physical and they don’t like it when other people push them around.”
The Sea Kings are not backing down from anyone, despite playing without four regulars.
Coach George Larsen has a makeshift lineup besting strong opponents like Laguna Hills and Estancia. The Sea Kings, who won CIF Southern Section Division IV and CIF Southern Section Southern California Regional Division II titles last season, have a lot of depth.
The usual contributors to last season’s historical campaign at CdM played a role in ruining the Eagles’ season opener. After giving up a goal 10 minutes into the match, goalkeeper Connor Gaal stopped the rest of Estancia’s shots.
Case and UC Davis-bound senior Brian Ford controlled the midfield for CdM. Jack Gorab and Greg Allen helped produce the Sea Kings’ two goals, both coming on long set pieces.
Coach Robert Castellano warned his Eagles about how dangerous CdM is in the air with its size. The Sea Kings are going to be much tougher once they get back striker Jack McBean, midfielder Grady Howe, and defenders Matt Francini and Kjell Wolker.
Larsen said the four Sea Kings have commitments with their respective academy soccer clubs. He expects them back in a week, just in time for a showcase in Santa Barbara on Dec. 10-12.
“It’s hard with McBean, Grady and Francini gone,” said Case, who has taken advantage of being more involved in the offense early on. “It lets me step up and play my game.”
Case had a head in both of CdM’s goals.
The first time Case used his head, CdM found itself even with the Eagles again. Estancia jumped ahead, 1-0, on Jose Herrera’s goal, which came on a set piece.
The Sea Kings took advantage of their set piece in the 15th minute. Case flicked an indirect free kick by Jack Gorab to the far post.
The pass found the feet of a wide-open Conor Roche, who dribbled toward the keeper before unleashing a shot to tie the game at 1-1.
The momentum swung toward CdM’s side and remained there for much of the final 65 minutes of action. Estancia’s best chance at tying the match came during extra time.
From outside the top of the box, Carlos Moreno turned to his right and quickly blasted a line drive right at Gaal.
The junior used both hands and caught it, signaling the end to Estancia’s opener as the final whistle blew seconds later.
“Last year, to be honest with you, I was really surprised at how good they were,” Castellano said. “To be honest with you, we took them lightly [last season].
“We really wanted [Wednesday’s] game really bad. They’re the best right now.”