Sea Kings make history

CORONA DEL MAR — George Larsen might get to go back to Mission Viejo.

Not to coach at his alma mater again, but to lead the Corona del Mar High boys’ soccer team to its first CIF Southern Section title. Larsen and section crowns go together like peanut butter and jelly.

In his first season at CdM, Larsen has guided the top-seeded Sea Kings to the big dance. Host CdM shut down North Torrance, 3-0, in the semifinals of the Division IV playoffs Tuesday.

The title appearance is Larsen’s third in four seasons coaching on the high school level. Larsen said CdM learns today whether the finale against La Mirada will be at Mission Viejo or Warren on Friday or Saturday.

“Hopefully, we don’t have to drive up to L.A. [County],” Larsen said. “Hopefully, we’re back at Mission Viejo, where obviously we’ve had some success already this year [in winning the South Orange County Classic].”

Mission Viejo is also the site where Larsen first coached and twice won it all.

The similarities from his first year coaching high school girls’ soccer 14 seasons ago to his debut with the boys at CdM this season are striking.

In his inaugural season with the Diablos, Larsen started eight underclassmen and won the section title.

Larsen starts seven underclassmen at CdM. The Sea Kings are now a victory away from raising the first section title banner for boys’ soccer in the school’s gym. CdM has won a section championship in practically every other sport, so why not boys’ soccer?

“We have the nucleus where we’ve got two to three years in us where we’re going to have a pretty good side,” Larsen said.

The Sea Kings have been more than pretty good this season. They’re more like dominant, having outscored opponents, 73-11.

CdM, ranked No. 9 in the nation by ESPN RISE, improved to 23-1-1 after its defense settled down after the first half. Five sophomores are in the lineup in the back. North Torrance (16-6-5) tried to take advantage of the inexperience. The Saxons reached the semis for the second straight season, but they found themselves down, 2-0, and unable to advance to their first section title game.

The Sea Kings took advantage of their lone opportunities in the first half. Jack McBean found the back of the net on a beautiful set piece from 23 yards out in the 18th minute. Four minutes later, Brian Ford knocked in the second goal.

The defense paid too much attention to UCLA-bound senior Reed Williams. A defender basically bear-hugged Williams, preventing the striker from getting to Paul Zubatov’s cross deep in the box. Ford took care of the loose ball and finished on the backdoor.

North Torrance fought back. The Saxons earned a penalty kick before halftime, their best shot to cut the deficit to one.

Goalkeeper Connor Gaal looked ready to defend CdM’s cage. As the home fans yelled, “Gaal!” the Saxons’ faithful couldn’t impersonate Andres Cantor’s signature shout of “Gooooaaal!”

Gaal dove to his right, stopping Brian Russell’s shot. With the save, the momentum stayed with the Sea Kings as they held their 15th opponent scoreless.

“If we would’ve made that PK, it would’ve been a different game,” said North Torrance striker Claudio Rodriguez, who has caught the eye of UC Irvine Coach George Kuntz.

Kuntz was in attendance, following Rodriguez and Ford, both standout juniors.

Ford helped the Sea Kings control the midfield in the second half. The Saxons’ scoring chances dwindled, as Jack Gorab, Kjell Wolker, Greg Allen, Matt Francini and Gaal, the five sophomores in the back, elevated their play. Gaal finished with five saves.

“I love George and I love this team,” said Gaal, who decided against playing boys’ basketball for the second straight season and joined the soccer program because he once played for Larsen with the Newport Beach-based Slammers Futbol Club.

“I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.”

If Larsen’s track record as a coach in section title games is any indication, Gaal and the Sea Kings will be crowned champs. Larsen wants to achieve the goal at the school where his career as a soccer coach started.