GIRLS’ SOCCER ROUNDUP : Marina Wins Tournament With Help From Tanaka

Marina midfielder Rhiannon Tanaka isn’t the Vikings’ leading scorer, but as Encinitas San Dieguito learned Wednesday, she’s dangerous even when she is off the playing field.

In the first seven minutes of the title game of the Excalibur girls’ soccer tournament at Foothill High School, Tanaka had two throw-ins from out of bounds that led directly to Marina goals. Early in the second half, Tanaka assisted on a goal and the Vikings went on to win, 3-0.

“If she’s not scoring goals, she’s setting them up,” Marina Coach Bobby Bruch said. “Any time she steps on the field, she’s a threat.”

The Vikings (13-0), the top-ranked team in Orange County and the Southern Section Division I, extended its unbeaten streak to 23 games. San Dieguito (7-3), the three-time defending San Diego Section champion, lost in the Excalibur tournament final for the second consecutive season.

Marina controlled the game throughout, but the Vikings’ quick early goals were enough to break San Dieguito’s spirit.

After only 1 minute 30 seconds had elapsed, Cassie Campbell took the throw-in from Tanaka and headed it over goalkeeper Alisha Davis for the goal. About six minutes later, Kristen Palmer found herself in front of the goal with the ball after a Tanaka throw-in.

Only strong play in goal by Davis kept San Dieguito from being blown out. The Vikings had numerous chances, especially on corner kicks by Marcy Crouch, but Davis made seven saves.

Crouch, who was named the tournament’s most valuable defensive player, helped Marina keep San Dieguito out of scoring range. The Mustangs managed only five shots to Marina’s 12.

Campbell, who scored five goals in the tournament, was named the offensive MVP. Tanaka and Jennifer Kierstead were also named to the all-tournament team for Marina.

Other county players named to the all-tournament team were: Kaylee Whitfield and Amy Moreno (El Modena), Jill Nelson (Newport Harbor), Lindsay Light (Capistrano Valley), Julie Koudelka and Erin Bailey (Edison), Lindsay Rogers (Trabuco Hills) and Kassie Rypel (Dana Hills).

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In other Excalibur tournament games:

Edison 2, El Modena 0--Michelle Kaping broke a scoreless tie with a goal midway through the second half and Julie Koudelka scored minutes later as Edison (10-2-2) took third place. The Chargers, the defending tournament champions, lost to San Dieguito, 2-1, on a goal in the final minute of the semifinals. El Modena goalkeeper Amy Moreno had 16 saves in El Modena’s 2-0 loss to Marina in the semifinals. El Modena is 8-2-2.

Dana Hills 0, Trabuco Hills 0 (Dana Hills wins shootout, 7-6)--Jenny Uriate scored the first and last penalty shot for Dana Hills (8-3-3) as the Dolphins edged Trabuco Hills (5-5-1) in the consolation final.

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In the Ocean View tournament:

Claremont 1, Laguna Hills 0--Claremont, ranked No. 2 in Division I, scored in the first five minutes of the title game. It was the first goal scored in the tournament off Laguna Hills goalkeeper Sara Lang.