Success familiar at CdM

girls soccer featureCorona del Mar looking to capitalize on familiarity, among other things, heading into this season.Some say familiarity breeds success.

Others pin it on practice, which leads to experience.

And some base it on intellect or raw, natural talent.

There are many ways to pinpoint success, as the Corona del Mar High girls’ soccer team knows: The Sea Kings have a little bit of everything heading into this season.

Perhaps what stands out the most is the sense of familiarity between four players and a coach, who have all learned together, grown together and fed off each others’ success.

This year, Corona del Mar has what could become a fearsome foursome -- or fivesome, if you count the coach.

Head man Bryan Middleton returns for his fourth season and will be relying on senior captains Rachel Yelsey, Taylor Fallon, Jessica Mazura and Kelly Morgan -- all who have played together on varsity the past three years, and on youth teams even earlier in their soccer careers.

“We’re heavy on seniors,” Middleton said. “We have to rely on our senior class to finish and get the job done.”

But it’s not just seniority the Sea Kings radiate; there’s a little something in each of the four captains that is their own specialty. Each knows what their specific role is.

“Jessica is definitely the one who yells at everyone, Rachel is the motivator and Kelly leads by example,” Fallon said. “I guess I’m the one who brings everyone together -- I guess I’m the pacifier.”

And all four also have a little edge that is clutch in the sport of soccer, according to Middleton. Each member of the foursome will be attending a four-year university next year, and not just for athletics.

Yelsey, who boasts a 4.23 GPA and is possibly headed to Yale or Columbia, is considered the ringleader of the intellectuals.

“Rachel Yelsey is just like a genius,” Mazura said. “That girl is unbelievable. I’ll ask her any question and she knows it. There’s a lot of smart girls on our team and I think that does help. It gives us an off-the-field connection.”

While Yelsey is Ivy League material, the other three are not far off: Mazura is headed to Cal, Morgan to UC Santa Barbara, and Fallon to Indiana.

“They say soccer is a thinking man’s or woman’s sport,” Middleton said. “It translates to the field.”

And while some say brains over brawn always prevails, it could be safe to say that brains and brawn are an even better combination.

All four girls were recruited for their athletic prowess: three for soccer and Morgan was sought after for her speed in track and field.

Morgan was last season’s main offensive weapon with 10 goals, as the Sea Kings finished 13-10-1, going 6-3-1 in the Pacific Coast League for second place. CdM advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs, where it fell in the first round to El Dorado, 2-1, in double overtime.

This year’s No. 1 goal, according to all four captains and Middleton, is to clinch the league title. Everything else should fall into place after that.

“If we win league, we’ll be motivated to win CIF,” said Morgan, who led the team with 14 goals her sophomore year. “We’ve been working so hard this year and we’re really motivated.”

Through three games this season, the Sea Kings are still seeking their first win, but a common strategy with Middleton is to have the team peaking later in the season. Middleton purposely stacks his nonleague schedule with high-powered opponents so the team will be better prepared when league play rolls around.

CdM fell at the hands of Mater Dei, ranked No. 2 in CIF Division I, Dana Hills and Trabuco Hills.

League play begins Jan. 4, when the Sea Kings visit University.

And should CdM come on strong later and win league, some added perks could be in the works. That’s what some of the girls are after.

“The last few years we haven’t won league and gotten our league champion T-shirts,” Fallon said. “That’s our goal; we want that shirt.”

PREVIEW CAPSULES

CORONA DEL MAR SEA KINGS

Coach: Bryan Middleton (fourth year)

2004-05 record: 13-10-1, 6-3-1 in Pacific Coast League

Returning starters: Phoebe Chang (Sr.), Kelly Morgan (Sr.), Taylor Fallon (Sr.), Rachel Yelsey (Sr.), Jessica Mazura (Sr.), Kaliegh Trider (Jr.), Alex Tobiessen (Jr.), Stephanie Brown (Jr.), Alexandre Elias (Soph.).

Key newcomers: AJ Rome (Fr.).

Key dates: Mater Dei Invitational, Dec. 15-19; vs. Costa Mesa, Dec. 20; vs. Newport Harbor, Dec. 22; at Tesoro, Jan. 11; vs. Northwood, Jan. 20; vs. Tesoro, Feb. 1; at Northwood, Feb. 8.

Outlook: Four senior captains, who have been playing on varsity since they were freshmen -- Middleton’s first season -- are set to lead the Sea Kings this season.

Kelly Morgan, Taylor Fallon, Rachel Yelsey and Jessica Mazura are the go-to girls this year, according to Middleton.

The Sea Kings finished second in league last year and reached the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs before losing to El Dorado, 2-1, in double overtime.

But this year’s team is fresh with experience and knowledge with its four main weapons.

The league race will likely boil down to CdM, Northwood and Tesoro, but it’s the Sea Kings’ No. 1 goal to win the title, said Middleton, before next season’s releaguing.

COSTA MESA MUSTANGS

Coach: Dan Johnston (14th year)

2004-05 record: 19-3, 12-0 in Golden West League

Returning starters: Jasmin Day (Sr.), Kyla Flores (Sr.), Caitlyn Duffy (Jr.), Mikyla Lux (Jr.), Cyndi Mendoza (Jr.).

Key newcomers: Kaily Carich (Jr.), Sam Strodel (Soph.), Katie Finn (Soph.), Kristina Roche (Fr.), Ayla Mendina (Fr.), Kyra Graham (Fr.), Dana Gentling (Fr.), Marina Lazos (Fr.).

Key dates: at Corona del Mar, Dec. 20; vs. Saddleback, Jan. 5; vs. Ocean View, Jan. 10; vs. Estancia, Jan. 19; at Westminster, Jan. 24; at Saddleback, Jan. 31; at Ocean View, Feb. 2.

Outlook: The Mustangs graduated 11 players from a team that captured its third consecutive Golden West League championship and advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division III quarterfinals.

Johnston and the Mustangs have yet to lose in the Golden West League, posting a 36-0 record in three seasons. This season could pose a harder challenge for Costa Mesa, having lost so many seniors.

Jasmin Day and Kyla Flores are expected to lead the squad, while an abundance of newcomers are slated to fill in the gaps.

The strongest aspect of Costa Mesa’s game last season -- the passing attack -- is still in its infancy stages in this young season, Johnston said.

ESTANCIA EAGLES

Coach: Steve Crenshaw (first year)

2004-05 record: 6-8-4, 2-7-3 in Golden West League

Returning starters: Marina Abdul (Sr.), Nasmy Abdul (Jr.), Bridgett Gleason (Jr.), Jennifer Thomas (Soph.), Taylor Carpenter (Soph.), Taylor West (Soph.).

Key newcomers: Stacy McDaniels (Soph.), Cori Chapin (Fr.), Natalie Placensia (Fr.).

Key dates: at Ocean View, Dec. 21; at Westminster, Jan. 10; vs. Saddleback, Jan. 12; at Costa Mesa, Jan. 19; vs. Ocean View, Jan. 31; vs. Westminster, Feb. 2; at Saddleback Feb. 7.

Outlook: Sophomore newcomer Stacy McDaniels is slated to lead this team, which will have its eighth new coach in eight seasons.

Crenshaw, however, was formerly a coach for the Eagles boys’ soccer team and should provide some sort of continuity for the girls.

The program has had limited success in recent years, but should slowly turn things around with Crenshaw at the helm.

Under former coach Natalie Rainey, the Eagles went 6-8-4 last season and failed to reach the CIF Southern Section postseason.

But with McDaniels and six returners -- only Marina Abdul a senior -- the Eagles have an abundance of experience to work with.

NEWPORT HARBOR SAILORS

Coach: Phil D’Agostino (second year)

2004-05 record: 10-5-2, 7-2-1 in Sea View League

Returning starters: Amy Klippert (Sr.), Stephanie Lambrakis (Sr.), Amanda Laz (Sr.), Krystal Wright (Sr.), Heather Stevenson (Sr.), Erica Weeden (Jr.), Arielle Rockwell (Jr.), Mary Giberson (Jr.), Emily Ohlhaver (Soph.) and Rachel Baugh (Soph.).

Key newcomers: Crystal Mena (Jr.), Christina O’Tousa (Fr.).

Key dates: Excalibur Tournament, Dec. 27-29; vs. Aliso Niguel, Jan. 12; at Irvine, Jan. 17; at Aliso Niguel, Jan. 31; vs. Irvine, Feb. 2.

Outlook: The Sailors returns 10 starters from a team that reached the first round of the highly competitive CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs. Newport Harbor was defeated, 3-2, by Capistrano Valley in the first round.

The Sailors, who finished second in the Sea View League last season under then first-year Coach Phil D’Agostino, should be a contender for a league title this year.

Aliso Niguel, ranked No. 7 in Division I, is looming on the Sailors’ schedule. Aliso Niguel won the Sea View League title outright last year, but Newport Harbor did split games with the Wolverines.

Irvine is also rising in the league, and the title will likely come down to those three schools, according to D’Agostino.

SAGE HILL LIGHTNING

Coach: Amy Ray (fifth year)

2004-05 record: 21-2-1, 8-1-1 in Academy League

Returning starters: Kelsey Rose (Sr.), Grace Graham (Sr.), Emily Webb (Jr.), Kara Percival (Jr.), Ali McLaughlin (Jr.), Kellee Kim (Soph.), Jules McLaughlin (Soph.).

Key newcomers: Sara Becker (Sr.), Isa-Maria Taskinen (Fr.).

Key dates: Junipero Serra Tournament, Dec. 21-22; vs. St. Margaret’s, Jan. 13; at St. Margaret’s, Feb. 3.

Outlook: The Lightning had a breakout season in 2004 -- finishing with two losses, and just one in Academy League play. They also did it with an abundance of youth on the squad, something that will continue.

This year, Sage Hill returns seven starters, including last year’s leading goal scorer in Kellee Kim. As a freshman last season, Kim scored 30 goals and was an All-CIF Southern Section Division VI first team selection. She’ll likely be the focus of most opposing team’s attentions, drawing multiple defenders.

The Lightning reached the CIF Southern Section Division VI semifinals before bowing out to top-seeded and eventual champion Arrowhead Christian of Redlands, 2-0.

The league race this year will likely boil down to Sage Hill and St. Margaret’s, as it did last year. The Tartans prevailed in 2004 with the league crown, but the battle could be closer this time around.20051217IH1M3RPGNo Caption20051217i8p4cjkf(LA)Corona del Mar’s Rachel Yelsey, right, is headed for an Ivy League school after graduation.20051217ia6nmtkfPHOTOS BY KENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Corona del Mar’s Taylor Fallon, right, is the self-described “pacifier” for the Sea Kings. 20051217irmji3ncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Rachel Yelsey, Kelly Morgan, Jessica Mazura and Taylor Fallon are the four seniors captains for Corona del Mar’s girls’ soccer team.