Pacifica needs just a minute to stop Kennedy

GARDEN GROVE - After battling Kennedy to a standstill throughout much of the first half,  Pacifica's girls soccer team used a one-minute stretch late in the half to gain sole possession of first place in the Empire League.

Sophomore Lauren Young and senior Cheyenne Brink each scored goals, as the Mariners defeated the Fighting Irish, 2-0, on Thursday afternoon at Pacifica High.

"We were able to take advantage of the opportunities when they came to us," Mariners coach Matt Etchison said. "We stayed together in the second half and it was our day today."

Both the Mariners (13-4-3, 4-0) and the Fighting Irish (10-6-2, 3-1) entered the contest undefeated in league.

"It was a very physical game today," Young said. "We just need to stay positive throughout the rest of league play."

Led by Young, Brink and fellow senior Jordan Nelson, the Mariners controlled the middle of the field early in the game and had several early chances to get on the scoreboard but couldn't convert.

Midway through the half, Kennedy began to set up its own offensive opportunities at the net. Sophomore Laura Lea Yorba, junior Ari Lim and senior Kirstin McCullough found openings in the Mariners' defense, but the Fighting Irish weren't able to put the ball in the net. Sophomore Taylor Nelson and senior Tessah Averill helped thwart Kennedy with strong backline defense.

The Mariners finally broke through about 25 minutes into the half. Young sent a shot toward the goal that slipped through the hands of Fighting Irish senior goalie Jessica Schutter and it rolled across the goal line.

Less than a minute later, the Mariners increased the lead to 2-0 when Brink uncorked a twisting liner that sailed over Schutter's right shoulder and into the top left corner of the net.

The Fighting Irish weren't able to score in the second half despite outshooting the Mariners, 8-5, and making several strong runs to the net. Senior Alexandra Wehrman and goalie Kimberly Griffin made big plays down the stretch to preserve the shutout for the Mariners.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com