There is a goal-scoring battle going on in Orange County girls soccer between El Modena’s Sydney Carr and JSerra’s Isabel D’Aquila.
D’Aquila, a sophomore, is second in Orange County with 20 goals after scoring twice in a 4-0 win over Rosary last week. She has 11 assists.
Carr holds the scoring lead with 21 goals and has six assists.
– ZACH CAVANAGH, Contributing writer
GIRLS WATER POLO
A new pool in north Orange County will soon be available.
Sunny Hills is scheduled to host a grand opening for its pool Friday at 1:30 p.m.
The school also is scheduled to host the Freeway League matches on Jan. 25. …
Orange Lutheran has arranged its schedule to play four tournaments, Lancers coach Steve Carrera said. The reigning CIF Division 1 champion has played in the Villa Park (first place), Holiday Cup (second) and Santa Barbara (fifth) tournaments and will make its debut in the Irvine Southern California Championship in early February.
– DAN ALBANO
BOYS SOCCER
El Toro boys soccer coach Shawn Watts couldn’t have been more optimistic at the strart of the season. This was the most telanted roster that he has ever fielded at the team, one that didn’t appear to have any weaknesses.
And the Chargers returned one of the best goalkeepers in the county in Mac Hutchins, the South Coast League co-defensive MVP last season.
But then the games began, the injuries mounted, and losses began to pile up.
Occassionally, the Chargers have lived up to their potential, advancing to the championship match of the Zach Butcher Memorial Tournament in December. But then about a week later, Servite scored eight goals on El Toro.
The Chargers lost eight of the first 12 games that they have played. Watts hasn’t given up hope.
“I think we are starting to catch our stride and once we do things will get better. I believe in my guys, my assistant coaches and what we as a program represent,” Watts said in an email. “Let’s just hope we peak at the right time and it’s not to late to win another league title.”
The are 1-1 after the first week of South Coast League play, beating Aliso Niguel, 3-1, and falling to Mission Viejo, 2-1.
“We haven’t been very efficient in front of the goal but we have been creating goal scoring chances quite often,” Watts said. The Chargers have scored 19 goals this season.
“Unfortunately we were struck early with quite a few injuries,” he added. “I don’t want to use that as an excuse but it does affect you finding any kind of rhythm.”
– DAMIAN DOTTORE
