Binder stays hot for CdM
Maddie Binder has been a scoring machine lately for the Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team, and her mother Rhonda couldn’t be more proud.
On Tuesday, Rhonda celebrated her 53rd birthday, and joked with her daughter that a goal would be a good birthday gift. Maddie delivered at a big time, scoring the game-winning goal in the 79th minute in CdM’s 2-1 win over Kennedy in a Sunny Hills Invitational pool-play opener.
The junior forward struck again Thursday, not for anybody’s birthday but just to help the Sea Kings.
Binder’s goal in the 11th minute helped the Sea Kings get an early lead, and they went on to beat Corona Centennial, 2-0, at CdM in another Sunny Hills Invitational pool-play game.
Binder has been red-hot for CdM (4-2), scoring a team-high three goals in four games. She missed the Sea Kings’ other two games with the flu.
“Last year, it was hard to get playing time,” Binder said. “Junior year, I really wanted to make a difference and start stepping up. I’ve been working really hard at it.”
CdM’s players do fight for playing time, as the Sea Kings are deep this year. They play Los Altos in their final pool-play game on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., at Corona Centennial.
A win over Los Altos would guarantee that CdM wins its pool and advances to the tournament championship game Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Binder’s goal Thursday against Centennial (0-2) came off a cross from the left by senior Elise Roche. The early lead seemed to help the Sea Kings, who tried to focus on stopping Centennial’s top striker, Genisis Dade.
“She was really fast, so we just had to make sure we stayed on her and stayed tight with her,” CdM senior defender Brynn Motal said. “I think we held our own. We were really aggressive, so we kind of shut her down.”
The Sea Kings struck again on offense in the 46th minute. Midfielder Kennedy Mulvaney played the ball forward to a fellow sophomore, Emma Scott, who blasted the ball past quickly charging Centennial goalkeeper Zoe Aguirre.
CdM Coach Bryan Middleton had subbed in Scott, freshman center forward Ava McKenzie and sophomore left forward Taylor Rosen late in the first half.
“They worked really hard,” Middleton said. “There’s a lot of parity on this team. I think a lot of girls are on the same level, so yeah, when they’re coming in they’re playing well.”
Senior Shelby Brown and sophomore Shelby Guerena helped CdM control the midfield, while Motal and fellow seniors Morgan Duss and Birkley Sigband, along with junior Ally Doherty and sophomore Christina Venturini, helped anchor the defensive effort. Freshman Julie Bartz also played well on defense when inserted in the second half.
First-half goalie Ally Lozano and second-half goalie Skyler Gullick needed to combine for just four saves for CdM, which played without sophomore midfielder Leah Givant (back). Junior midfielder Caroline Bethel (ankle) and Sigband (quad) are also battling injury.
“Preseason, you always pick up a few injuries,” Middleton said. “You always have to battle through that.”
CdM’s players didn’t really act pleased when Middleton told them they might be playing Saturday night at 6:30. Motal said that the senior girls had a Christmas party they were planning to attend, “but we’re definitely going to try to get out there and win.”
Middleton expects nothing less.
“These girls are used to getting their way, but sometimes, you know, you’ve got to be committed to the soccer team,” Middleton said. “We’ve had this on the books. They’ll play hard. They’ll play all the way through.”
