Mira Costa Girls Shut Out Redondo

Exit polling of Friday’s Mira Costa- girls soccer game was revealing—no one was surprised the outcome came down to one goal.

“I knew it was going to be close," said Mira Costa forward Kimby Keever. "They are really good and we play similar styles.” 

In the 22nd minute, Mira Costa’s Maddy Miketa found Keever, who promptly put away the game’s only goal from ten yards out to lead the Mustangs to a 1-0 home victory over the rival Sea Hawks.

“You just have to make the most of your opportunities," she said. "You don’t get a lot so it feels great when it goes in.” 

Keever’s shot barely cleared the outstretched hands of Redondo goal keeper Erinn Middo, struck the top of the goal and fell in, giving the Mustangs all the scoring they would need.

“It was a knuckle ball and just had the right pace," Middo said. "If I had dove forward I would have got it, but I went backward.” 

Nonie Frishette put together a solid game in goal for Mira Costa (15-1-2, 2-0); coming up with six important saves against a skilled group of Sea Hawks forwards.

“We didn’t let them get any space," defenseman Kara Enomoto said. "We covered for each other really well."

The Sea Hawks (10-3-4, 0-2) were not without chances. Two minutes after Keever’s goal, Samantha Witteman attempted to return the favor, but her shot just caught too much post, leaving her awestruck, with hands on her head.

“We had a lot of great chances, we just didn’t finish," Witteman said. "We hit the crossbar a couple times and missed a few breakaways that we need to convert.” 

The Mustangs are also focused on finishing. Keever nearly scored a second goal on a header, but Middo made a sensational leaping stop.

“It didn’t seem like either team stepped up more than the other after that goal," said Mustangs coach Patty Perkinson. "It was still a nail-biter to the end.” 

Mira Costa held a decisive advantage in the second half on time of possession.

“We played better in the second half," said Keever. "We controlled the ball better even though we didn’t score.” 

Despite some difficulties possessing the ball in stretches of the second half, the Sea Hawks outshot the Mustangs in the first half.

“We couldn’t find a way to break through today," Redondo head coach Shelly Marsden said. "Maybe if the posts had been different it would have been our game.” 

Sea Hawks sophomore Sharon Lee was saddled with the task of defending the dangerous Keever, and put together a solid effort, chasing her along the sidelines all game.

“It’s always a physical game," said Perkinson. "They are our rival and Shelly produces some great teams. We knew we were in for a tough one.” 

Perkinson was thrilled with the effort of her defenders, Enomoto in particular.

“Kara saved us. She marked Shannon Simon the whole time and shut her down. I have to hand kudos to her,” Perkinson said.